Beyond the expected surge in mental health from existing service users we can anticipate that there will be a much wider impact on the population as the country emerges from Covid-19. Evidence shows that in times of significant crisis or financial turmoil there is a significant increase in people who have never previously accessed mental health services suddenly finding themselves in need of our support.

Risks to our communities’ mental health and the likely psychological fallout from this crisis is universally acknowledged. There is a disproportionate impact on BAME communities and disadvantaged communities. As a direct result of the impact of Covid-19 Mental health services are already starting to see an increase in demand from people who have never previously accessed support before.

On 2nd June 2020, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, the South East London Integrated Care System and the four Local Authorities convened the Urgent Mental Health Prevention Summit to explore the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of our communities including BAME, Children and Young People, Communities and resilience as well as the impact of the recession on people’s daily lives.

This requiremen is to develop a programme of mental health community capacity building across the following South London boroughs Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark – which will work with schools, faith and community groups to stay well. Making sure we reach out and listen to as many communities as possible across the seven boroughs, including those for whom English is not a first language and those who are not digitally literate to help shape this work.