Thrive LDN’s Are we OK London? campaign returns for second year focusing on how poor mental health is more prominent in some groups of society than others.  Thrive LDN will offer a platform to amplify unheard voices and enable Londoners to share their experiences directly in a diverse range of ways.

London’s citywide movement to improve mental health, Thrive LDN, has launched its second annual campaign to get everyone in the capital talking about mental health and wellbeing, and taking action to make London the happiest, healthiest city in the world.

More than two million Londoners experience some form of poor mental health every year and report a lower level of life satisfaction and self-worth than the national average.

Almost 10% of children and young people living in the capital aged between 5 and 16 experience a mental health issue and in 2016^[1], on average, eleven Londoners per week took their own lives. Thrive LDN was established in response to this, with the aim of reducing the number of Londoners affected by poor mental health.

This year’s Thrive LDN Are we OK London? campaign will focus on how the inequality and discrimination experienced by certain individuals and social groups in London affects their mental health and wellbeing. Whilst at the same time offering a platform to amplify unheard voices and enabling people to tell their stories directly in a diverse range of ways.

Úna Carney, who heads up Thrive LDN, said: “People from all walks of life are affected by poor mental health, and nearly one in two will suffer a mental health problem at some point in their lifetime. Yet, we know that some people’s mental health is made worse because of the discrimination they face. This is unfair and this year’s Are we OK London? campaign will focus on addressing mental health unfairness in London.

“Through the various activities and projects over the coming months, we will better understand how discrimination – based on things such as background, beliefs and identity – affects a person’s mental health and wellbeing.

“Change in London can only be created if more people are aware of the impact of inequality on mental health and are supported to take action. In response to the campaign, Thrive LDN will work with Londoners and partners to establish projects with the aim of addressing the issues raised.

“Every Londoner deserves to thrive. Together we can make a stand and begin to address mental health unfairness in London.”

Various events and activities are planned over the summer. Find out more at www.thriveldn.co.uk or @ThriveLDN. Thrive LDN’s Are we OK London? campaign will run until Sunday, 21 October 2018.

Thrive LDN’s 2017 Are we OK London? campaign started an open conversation with Londoners about mental health and wellbeing. As a result, it generated over 420,000 interactions and was the driving force behind greater partnership working on several citywide and local projects across London.

On the back of the campaign, Thrive LDN also held community workshops, in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, in 16 of the 32 London boroughs to start conversations on a community level. Thrive LDN: towards happier, healthier lives publication is a summary of this work to identify what would make a difference to Londoners’ mental health and wellbeing.

Thrive LDN is supported by the Mayor, Sadiq Khan and led by the London Health Board, in partnership with Greater London Authority, Healthy London Partnership, NHS England (London Region), Public Health England (London Region) and London Councils.

Ends

For further details or queries, please contact:  James Ludley and Healthy London Partnership: james.ludley@nhs.net.

Notes to Editors

[1] Office for National Statistics, Suicides in England and Wales by local authority. See: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/suicidesbylocalauthority

• Thrive LDN’s Are we OK London? campaign will run from Friday, 6 July 2018 until Sunday, 21 October 2018.
• Thrive LDN is a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. It is supported by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and led by the London Health Board, in partnership with Greater London Authority, Healthy London Partnership, NHS England (London Region), Public Health England (London Region) and London Councils. More information can be found at thriveldn.co.uk.
• Healthy London Partnership was formed in April 2015. Healthy London Partnership aims to make London the healthiest global city in the world by working with our partners for Londoners to improve health and care, so everyone can live healthier lives. It works across health and social care, and with the Greater London Authority, Public Health England, NHS England, London’s councils, clinical commissioning groups, and Health Education England. More information can be found at healthylondon.org. Healthy London Partnership hosts the Thrive LDN programme team.

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