Finding mental health advice and support in Vassall

Healthwatch Lambeth examined awareness of mental health information and support services among residents of Vassall Ward, an area with high levels of deprivation and a diverse population. The study gathered survey responses from 180 residents and interviews with 19 community leaders and service providers. The research was prompted by concerns that a lack of information about mental health services was acting as a barrier to early support, particularly within Black and minority ethnic communities. 

The findings showed that GPs were by far the most common source of mental health advice, with around six in ten respondents saying they would seek support from their GP. Friends and family were the second most common source, followed by the internet. Awareness of specialist mental health services was very limited. Only a small proportion of respondents identified local mental health charities, talking therapies services or community mental health teams as places they would seek help. Community leaders and local organisations also reported limited knowledge of available mental health services, highlighting difficulties in signposting people to appropriate support.

The report found a clear need for mental health support within the community, often linked to wider social pressures such as housing, finances, employment and family difficulties. A third of respondents had searched for mental health information within the previous two years. Stigma was identified as one of the biggest barriers to seeking help, with four in ten respondents citing shame or embarrassment. Concerns about confidentiality and fear of being judged were also common. Stakeholders reported that mental health remained a taboo topic in many communities and that people often delayed seeking help until they reached crisis point. 

Participants and community organisations called for better promotion of services, clearer information about available support and more face-to-face engagement within local communities. Suggestions included distributing information through community centres, libraries, places of worship, housing organisations and schools, as well as providing information in different languages. The report also highlighted the importance of investing in mental health promotion among young people and schools, improving connections between community organisations and mental health providers, and supporting local leaders with training and knowledge to help signpost residents effectively. Healthwatch concluded that improving awareness of services and tackling stigma at community level were essential to ensuring people access support earlier and more confidently.