Today, the NHS will launch a new landmark campaign using the iconic Beatles song ‘Help!” to get Londoners taking better care of their mental health.

Backed by some of the UK’s biggest artists, the campaign will encourage people struggling with their mental health to seek support.

‘Help!’, written by John Lennon in 1964, was credited by the superstar songwriter as one of his most honest and genuine songs and with lyrics like ‘Help me if you can I’m feeling down’, the song is the ideal soundtrack to get others thinking about their mental health.

Since the start of the pandemic some 300,000 Londoners have come forward for NHS talking therapies, but with new figures out today showing that over 57% of people in London were concerned about their mental health last year and 51% reporting that they did not seek professional help – many more could benefit. Half of those concerned about their mental health experienced stress and anxiety with nearly 40% experiencing low mood or depression.

However this year people are more conscious of their mental health, with 63% planning to focus more on this in 2022.
The NHS is encouraging anybody experiencing anxiety, depression, or other common mental health concerns to come forward and see how talking therapies can help them.

NHS mental health talking therapies are a confidential service run by fully trained experts and can be accessed by self-referral or through your GP.

Antoinette, Senior CBT Therapist at Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust said:

“I would say to anyone struggling – please don’t be ashamed. It is normal and human to experience difficulties with your mental health. I really encourage you to speak to whoever you feel comfortable to, and know the NHS are here for support.”

“It is so fulfilling to see the change in people once they have reached out for help. I see people feel more motivated to do things they haven’t done in a while, even just getting out of bed, or building the confidence to look for work. I have literally seen people save themselves and all they needed was a little bit of support and encouragement from us along the way.”

Regional Head of Mental Health for the NHS in London, Emma Christie, said:

“The Covid pandemic has had such a significant impact on the mental health Londoners, leading to increased isolation, loneliness and stress, and it has never been more important to take active steps to support your mental health.

“Since the pandemic began, over 300,000 people have already accessed NHS talking therapies in London, and our NHS services are ready to support you.

“Whether you are experiencing low mood, anxiety, stress, or struggling to cope with day to day life – as this fantastic campaign shows, you are not alone – people from all walks of life experience mental health concerns from time to time and all can benefit from talking therapies.
“The NHS in London is here for you, and I urge anyone who feels like they may need this additional support to reach out to us.”

Thanks to Sony Music and Apple Corps, who have donated the lyrics and melody of the Beatles classic to the campaign, top names from the UK music industry including Craig David, Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts, Tom Grennan, Laura Mvula, Ella Henderson and Max George, will launch the campaign with a speaking rendition of the song – encouraging more people to seek ‘Help!’.

The campaign video can be found here and more information about where to seek help and how to self-refer for treatment is online here.