Tower Hamlets Council hosted a community conversation as part of a London-wide initiative to improve mental health and well-being across the capital.

Thrive London (Thrive LDN) is a citywide drive for mental health, which aims to raise awareness of mental health issues; challenge stigmas; facilitate improvements in care and encourage all Londoners to look after their mental wellbeing.

Inspired by a similar movement in New York, Thrive LDN encourages better working between boroughs, health services, police, transport, voluntary sectors and the community when addressing mental health issues.

At a Thrive LDN community conversation held in Bethnal Green, people learnt more about mental health; explored local issues, and shared experiences of collaborative working in areas such as improving mental well-being in the workplace; supporting positive attitudes to mental health; the mental well-being of children and young people; and addressing suicide.

Attended by residents, health service providers and professionals including Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health at Tower Hamlets, the community event encouraged people to work together to improve health and happiness in Tower Hamlets.

Dr Banerjee described the scale of mental health issues in the borough and highlighted the strength of communities and organisations in Tower Hamlets and their capacity to work together to improve mental well-being.

Tower Hamlets Council is already a major advocate of positive mental health for its residents and employees. The council is signed up to the Local Authority Mental Health Challenge and the Time to Change Employer Pledge, which are aimed at improving mental health in the community and in the workplace.

Cllr Rachael Saunders, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult services said: “We want people in Tower Hamlets to lead happier, healthier lives and we are delighted to be part of the Thrive LDN initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues, challenge stigmas and encourage people in Tower Hamlets to look after their mental wellbeing.

Figures from Thrive LDN show that an estimated two million Londoners will experience a mental health problem this year.

This is one of the reasons why we are keen to work with Thrive LDN, to facilitate and take part in open and honest discussions about mental well being.”

For more information on local mental health services visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mentalwellbeing

– Press realise