Mayor launches initiative to improve London’s mental health

The Mayor of London has launched Thrive LDN, a new movement to improve mental health and well-being across the capital.

Thrive LDN will help support more Londoners to maintain good mental health, develop a programme to stamp out mental health stigma and discrimination and work with employers to improve mental health in the workplace.

According to Public Health England figures, nearly 10 per cent of children and young people living in London aged between five and 16 experiences a mental health issue, while more than 14 London residents take their own lives each week.

Inspired by a similar movement in New York, Thrive LDN will encourage better working between boroughs, health services, police, transport and voluntary sectors when dealing with people with mental health issues.

Sadiq Khan, 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. I want London to become a more open and tolerant place where people can speak openly about their mental health and the support they need. Thrive LDN aims to improve Londoners’ awareness and understanding of mental health and achieve real improvements in support and care for those who need it.”

Kevin Davis, lead on Health for London Councils, added: “Today’s launch shows the progress we are making in London. We cannot make improvements on our own as a system, we need London’s communities, businesses, voluntary and support services to work with us. We have been overwhelmed by the response, willingness and involvement of partners to launch Thrive LDN and we look forward to working with more Londoners over the coming years.”