At present we are offering a range of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based digital, telephone and video interventions, however we are unable to offer face to face appointments. Our other range of therapies is also more limited at this time. If you are interested in knowing more about Covid specific support that we are offering now please click here to find out more.
If your preference is for face to face appointments then we would encourage you to refer to iCope when we resume support in person. At this time we are unfortunately unable to provide a time frame. You can keep up to date with developments on our website, or by calling us on:
We expect the service adaptions to remain the same for some time as we do everything we can to continue to protect our community and the vulnerable populations we support. Below we have detailed further information on specific support around COVID-19. This page is specifically for Camden & Islington areas. There is a separate page here for Kingston.
We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience at this challenging time.
COVID-19 Brief Coping Intervention
iCope have developed a three session immediate treatment that is based on psychological first aid. It has been designed to help you if are struggling to cope and manage day to day because you have been impacted by Covid–19 through your work or home life. For example if your circumstances have changed due to the pandemic or if you have experienced Covid-19 yourself or have lost a loved one to COVID-19.
When we review your referral we will think about what iCope support might be most beneficial as this is one of several new options that iCope are offering at the moment. To refer yourself to our service please click on ‘Request an appointment’ at the very top of the page.
iCope Workshops
At iCope we usually offer face to face one-off sessions called Workshops, which are usually run in a group setting. Due to the current situation we are unable to run our usual workshops. Instead we have created 2 online workshops that offer support around managing wellbeing during the pandemic. They are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques which we hope can be helpful.
Managing Worry During a Pandemic
Managing Wellbeing During a Pandemic
Below we also have some free NHS run webinars. You can sign up to watch them live or available to watch previous recordings.
NHS-led Wellbeing Webinars
Webinars for the general public, Tuesdays at 4pm:
A Coping Well During Covid webinar series is supporting anyone who is feeling anxious or worried about coronavirus and how it is impacting them, their loved ones, their work and their future. Taking place on Tuesdays at 4pm, each 60-minute webinar is NHS-led and current topics include managing wellbeing, anxiety, low mood and sleeping difficulties.
Each webinar offers participants the chance to explore ideas and tools to support mental health and wellbeing in a clinically led and interactive way, when joining live. Further sessions are also being explored, such as focusing on money and mental health and bereavement. The full schedule and recorded webinars are available from the Thrive LDN website.
Webinars for health and care workers, Thursdays at 4pm:
A new Keeping Well for Health and Care Workers webinar series is designed to help manage the emotional health and wellbeing of those working in health and care services, whether at the front line or in supporting services. Taking place on Thursdays at 4pm, each session has a focus on sustaining staff wellbeing and will explore topics such as preventing burnout, coping with stress and sleeping better. The full schedule and recorded webinars are available from the Thrive LDN website.
General Wellbeing Advice
Anxiety and distress are a normal reaction to the current pandemic. A lot of things currently feel uncertain and we have never faced this specific health threat before. You may have had to change your routine, been asked to work from home or practice social-distancing with friends and family – all of these things may be having a big impact on well-being.
Despite this there are ways you can help yourself to keep as psychologically well as possible during this time. Below we have a collection of suggestions, webpages, podcasts and apps that we hope can help. Professor David Clark, (the National Clinical Director for all the NHS services like iCope) has made the following recommendations:
In the current stressful situation, it is important that we pay attention to mental health as well as physical health. Here are some tips that may help manage very understandable anxiety and worry.
Take recommended precautions
We all need to take the precautions recommended by Government and the NHS in order to reduce transmission and protect the vulnerable, even if we think we are not particularly vulnerable ourselves. There is quite a bit of fake news circulating on social media. Go to trusted websites for advice such as NHS UKand gov.uk
BUT avoid spending most of your time searching for updates and news.
In such a situation it is tempting to keep checking your phone and searching the web/ social media for news and updates. That is unnecessary and likely to generate more anxiety and worry. Instead you may want to plan to check at specific times, perhaps just once or twice a day.
Keep Active
If you are working from home, try to continue with your projects and routines, at a pace that works for you. If you find yourself with much more spare time than usual, think of creating some new routines or activities. Are there books you always wanted to read but haven’t got around to? Films? Photos to organize? Recipes you haven’t tried? Painting, drawing, etc. Choose things that are meaningful to you.
Some people may find it more difficult to get going in the morning. Keeping normal basic routines like getting up at a specific time, showering, getting dressed etc, can help.
Look after yourself
Eat healthily and regularly, consider moderating alcohol intake, get plenty of sleep, and exercise. All of these are good for the immune system and tend to help mood as well. Of course, social isolation means not going to gyms or exercising in groups but an exercise routine at home, in the garden (if you have one), or in a largely empty park is feasible. There are many home exercise videos available on You-tube. Some gyms have their own virtual instructors. In stressful times, some of us can become self-critical. You’ve got enough burdens without that. Be kind to yourself. If you live with others, remember they are also under stress and try not to personalize any irritating actions.
Become MORE socially connected
We have to physically distance ourselves from others, but we are social beings. Compensate by reaching out to friends and colleagues using social media, phone calls, Facetime, Skype, Zoom etc. This will combat the loneliness we can feel when physically isolated. Create regular ways of linking with your work colleagues even if you are all working from home. Maybe a daily group video conference? Consider creating a WhatsApp, Slack or other social media group. Click here for some further information for couples to consider during COVID-19 and the easing of lockdown.
Be Kind to Others
Kindness is a double blessing. It makes the person who receives a kind act feel better and it makes you feel better for doing it.
From Oxford Anxiety Disorders and Trauma Group.
Practical support & information
The local boroughs are coordinating practical support which can we be explored in the below links. They can help with things like doing food shopping, emergency food packages, collecting medication from the pharmacy or more general practical advice.
For services see Camden here; Islington here and Kingston here.
Please also see here for up to date government guidance on social distancing, shielding, safe travel and more.
Employment
Citizens Advice – General and legal advice around employment, debts, benefits and more.
ACAS – provide Law Advice For Business Owners and Employers.
Get Back on Track (Islington Only Service) – Able to help people back into work after a period of being of sick. Also able to advise on rights and legal advice.
Turn 2 Us – Up to date information on Benefits & Coronavirus.
UnionLine – Information for Employers on how to provide safe work environment. With a helpful list of frequently asked questions.
MindEd – advice and tips from our large panel of international experts. For all frontline staff created with NHS Health Education England in partnership with NHS England-Improvement, supported by Skills for Care.
Front Line 19 – Offering free confidential support for front line workers.
Trauma Group – Tips and advice around coping with stress for hospital workers.
NHS Employers – Collection of resources available for NHS workers.
NHS Webinars – Free 1 hour webinars for health care workers. Focusing on managing wellbeing during a pandemic.
Refuge – supports women and children who experience all forms of violence and abuse, including domestic violence, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based violence, and human trafficking and modern slavery. Refuge have written some safety tips for survivors here.
The ‘Bright Sky’ app by Hestia . This mobile app provides information about domestic abuse such as online safety, stalking, harassment and sexual consent.
Camden Safety Net provides services to survivors of domestic abuse/sexual violence who live in Camden.
Phone: 0207 974 2526
Solace Women Aid are a London-based Domestic Abuse charity. They offer safe refuge, advice and accommodation
Advice line: 0808 802 5565
Solace Rape Crisis helpline: 0808 801 0305
Galop provide Hate Crime, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence support services to people from the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing domestic abuse. Phone: 0800 999 5428
Support for perpetrators
Respect Phoneline and Respect UK both work with perpetrators, male victims and young people who are using violence in their close relationships and want to make changes.
