Mental health and wellbeing

The term mental health is used to describe a spectrum from mental health problems and disorders, through to mental wellbeing or positive mental health. This page is about where to get help and support if you need it, as well as how to protect and improve your own mental health and wellbeing. You can find out more about mental health in Ealing in the Ealing Strategy for Mental Health and wellbeing 2017 to 2022.

Looking after your mental wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is the positive end of mental health, which refers to both feeling good, happy and enjoying life, and to doing well, such as having positive relationships with others and a sense of control and purpose in life. There are many ways in which you can look after your mental wellbeing and different things work for different people:

Five ways to mental wellbeing

The five ways to wellbeing (New Economics Foundation) are evidence-based steps you can take in your daily life to improve how you feel and function.

When life is difficult

We all experience difficulties with our mental health and wellbeing occasionally. It might happen if we are bereaved, become unemployed, are ill, lose our home or have a breakdown in a relationship. Sometimes there is not an obvious reason for feeling depressed, anxious or sad.

Usually we can cope with how we feel and will feel better when we have talked it over, spent time with friends, or picked up leisure activities we can enjoy. Often, we need help to do this and there are many ways to find that support in communities in Ealing. See the Ealing clinical commissioning group (ECCG) website for more information about where you can find help from community groups and voluntary sector organisations as well as NHS and council services.

If you are struggling

At least one in four of us will experience a diagnosed mental health problem in our life, and many more will struggle with our mental health and wellbeing. There is support and help available to you if you or someone you care for finds that they are not coping and cannot manage their day to day life due to their mental health. This can be found with your own GP surgery, in community teams, in hospital and in crisis.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and experiencing distress, or are in crisis, or if you want information and advice about mental health, you can contact the West London mental health trust’s single point of access on 0300 1234244. Anyone can call the single point of access number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.

Where to get urgent help for mental health

If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, you can get get immediate help from the NHS.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Learn how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.

MHFA courses:

  • raise awareness of mental health conditions and help to spot signs and symptoms and to intervene in a helpful way
  • challenge stigma discrimination about mental wellbeing
  • promote trainees' own mental wellbeing.

Learning takes place through a mix of presentations, group activities and conversation.

All courses are certified and you will receive a useful manual.

The two-day course provides a practical MHFA action plan.

Courses available

  • Adult Mental Health Aware Half Day
    An introductory four hour session to raise awareness of mental health.
  • Adult MHFA two day course
    Qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider.
  • Youth Mental Health two day course
    Qualifies you as a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

To book or for more information contact: