COVID-19 is seeing an increase in people struggling with anxiety, emotional and financial worries but a new 24 hour Freephone mental health crisis line is now operating with the aim to make it easier for Newham residents to access urgent crisis support when they need it.
The East London Foundation Trust's mental health crisis lines for three east London boroughs all now operate 0800 freephone numbers.
The change ensures the NHS support is free and accessible for everyone living or working in Newham, Tower Hamlets and City & Hackney.
For young people under 18, support from a CAMHS nurse is available seven days a week and urgent assessments can be arranged if needed.
The 0800 numbers are now in operation but the former numbers also remain operational until April 2021 to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
The new mental health crisis line numbers are:
Newham – 0800 0730066
Tower Hamlets Crisis Line – 0800 0730003
City & Hackney – 0800 0730006
Melanie King, Tower Hamlets Crisis Pathway Service Manager said: "We are committed to ensuring our mental health crisis support is available to anyone who needs it."
"Knowing the phone call won't cost any money could be what makes the difference in someone picking up the phone and asking for the help they really need."
The mental health crisis lines are available 24 hours a day and callers are given support and advice from mental health professionals.
They have been designed as a 'first port of call' for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and to remove the need for those people to seek help via hospital A&E services.
You can download the Tower Hamlets Mental Health Crisis Line Flyer below.