A new psychological therapy service launches on Monday 1 June to support health and care workers in eight boroughs across North West London.

‘Keeping Well’ is designed to help over 50,000 members of staff working in the NHS, residential homes and care facilities through any mental health challenges they are facing during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and beyond.

The service is designed to provide rapid access to support in a variety of ways, including a ‘live-chat’ where health and care workers can, in confidence, talk to expert clinicians about any personal or professional challenges that are impacting on their stress, anxiety or mood. This could be new mental health symptoms or a worsening of pre-existing difficulties.

Carolyn Regan, Chief Executive of West London NHS Trust, says:

“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought considerable challenges and stresses to health and care professionals. Colleagues are working incredibly long hours in order to provide the best level of care for patients and service users. The ‘Keeping Well’ service is there to offer psychological advice and support to help our key healthcare workers across North West London, at a time and a place that suits them best.”

Claire Murdoch, Chief Executive of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, says:

“Everyone is working tremendously hard in the face of this crisis. Emotional difficulties are a normal response to what they have faced and can be hard to process. We want staff to know we are here for them.

“You might be exhausted from juggling the pressures of home life and childcare, working on the frontline, social isolation and the uncertainty that this period brings to all our lives. The ‘Keeping Well’ service is designed to do just that – keep our key workers well – and offers everything from help with sleeping to more intensive assessment and treatment to deal with the aftermath of your experiences, whether you are experiencing new symptoms or a worsening of pre-existing difficulties; we are here.”

‘Keeping Well’ is a partnership between Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and West London NHS Trust.