Support for older Londoners

Finding support for you

Here are some sources of support and some useful ways to get support if you are finding it hard.

• It’s important that we stay connected. Get in touch with family and friends to share your thoughts and have a chat.
• If speaking to a friendly stranger is easier, then call The Silver Line on 0800 4 70 80 90 – a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• Good Thinking, London’s digital wellbeing service, has a range of resources and advice for older people.
• If getting out and moving around is not easy or possible for you, keep moving about indoors as often or as much as you can. Try this 10-minute home chair workout with Joe Wicks.
• If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about financial difficulties, then explore the helpful range of resources and guidance on City Hall’s Help with the cost of living hub. There is also more resources for older Londoners on City Hall’s website.

Other resources to help you

Dealing with difficult emotions can be challenging but help and support is available.

In London, there are a range of free resources, online tools, and helplines available to help you deal with the uncertainty and stay mentally healthy. You may also be interested in resources in the main section for other communities, which you may also be part of.

Digital resources available now

Good Thinking is a digital mental wellbeing service that has over 100 free, NHS-approved resources designed to help those dealing with anxiety, low mood, poor sleep or stress. Take the clinically validated self-assessment to get a better understand of what you’re going through, helpful resources and if necessary, relevant treatment options.

To help build resilience and maintain good mental wellbeing, Every Mind Matters has a range of resources for everyone at Including an interactive quiz, the Your Mind Plan, to get top tips and advice relevant for you.

NHS psychological treatments

If you do not require urgent support but are still concerned about your mental health, contacting your GP is a good place to start.

You can also refer yourself for free, non-urgent NHS talking therapy services, also known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, which provide evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety. In London, services are ready and open to receive self-referrals for those needing professional support.

Helplines

Or you may feel more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know by using one of the following helplines:

• If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs urgent assistance, advice or support, contact your local 24/7 NHS mental health helpline.
• Shout is the UK ‘s first 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in crisis. Text Shout at any time to 85258 to start a conversation.
• Samaritans’ free, 24-hour listening service on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.