Please find a range of resources you can utilise whist you wait to be seen by our service. There are a lot of resources and forms of support out there and we have compiled a list of some to help get you started.
You can also find approximate waiting times on this page to keep you updated on how long you will be waiting.
Talk Wandsworth Average Waiting times-update Jan 2023 to Mar 2023
Please see below for the approximate waiting times we are currently experiencing:
|
Treatment option |
Who is suitable for this intervention? |
What is involved in this intervention? |
Current average wait to start (in weeks) |
|
Initial triage assessment
|
All patients |
30 to 45-minute assessment completed with a clinician over the telephone or face-to-face |
7-12 days |
|
Wellbeing workshops |
Patients from individuals experiencing mild to moderate levels of psychological and or emotional distress, to those who are interested in maintaining their wellbeing during this difficult time
|
Psycho-educational workshops facilitated by a wellbeing practitioner, and aimed at helping patients to identify and achieve a range of wellbeing goals |
No wait time. |
|
Step 2 CBT Group courses |
Patients with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety |
A seven session psycho-educational group programme facilitated weekly by a clinician, aimed at helping patients to control their symptoms of low mood or anxiety |
7-11 weeks |
|
Step 2 Guided CBT |
Patients with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety |
A four to eight session one-to-one intervention completed over the telephone or face-to-face, helping patients to work through a series of self-help materials with weekly support from a clinician |
18-32 weeks |
|
Step 2 Online CBT (Silvercloud) |
Patients with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety |
A four to eight session online therapy programme, helping patients to work through a series of self-help materials with intermittent support from a clinician |
5-7 weeks |
|
Step 3 one-to-one therapy |
Patients with moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
|
An eight to twelve session course of individual therapy facilitated weekly by a CBT therapist, counsellor or psychologist. Treatments offered include CBT, EMDR, counselling and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) |
31-47 weeks |
|
ieso |
Patients with moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
|
A course of individual guided self-help or CBT (dependent on need) involving weekly sessions by online instant messaging (similar to WhatsApp or Messenger) with a qualified PWP, CBT therapist or psychologist |
5-7 weeks |
|
Step 3 CBT Group courses
|
Patients with moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
|
A ten session group CBT course facilitated by a qualified CBT therapist or psychologist, delivered in a supportive environment with access to peer support |
10-14 weeks |
|
The Awareness Centre |
Patients with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety |
6 session and review counselling can be up to 12 sessions in total |
19-23 weeks |
*Based on 2 Appt proxy.IESO First contact does not qualify as 'triage', therefore booked under 'assessment'.Therefore the measure of start treatment course will be on the 3rd contact. IESO OWN Data suggests their wait average is 22 days.
Availability for appointments
One of the ways we can speed up the start of your treatment is if your availability increases. Please let us know if your availability has changed by calling in on 0203 513 6264 or email your new availability to and we will update your records. This allows us to look for more treatment slots appropriate for you.
Please let us know if you have moved out of the area, moved abroad or no longer require support from Talk Wandsworth please let us know. Please note if you have moved out of area but do still have a GP in the area you can still access support with talk Wandsworth.
If you are abroad: We are unable to offer either an assessment or offer a course of treatment if you are out of the country. This is due to us not being able to hold duty of care for you whilst you are abroad. We are able to offer you a treatment on hold for 28 days should you be returning within this time period. If you are out of the country at the time of your assessment we would suggest that you refer back when you are in the country.
Access to Silvercloud without support:
If you are waiting for a treatment with Talk Wandsworth, we will arrange for you to have access to SilverCloud, an online platform allowing you access to self-help materials that can support you to begin to work towards your recovery while you wait. Please contact the service on 0203 513 6264 or email if you do not already have access to this, or if you have lost your PIN code to enter the platform.
What if more urgent support is needed while you are waiting? We would suggest you access the below crisis line and support line telephone numbers
The following list is of various mental health crisis line and mental health support line numbers that you can utilise in times of need.
- Mental Health Crisis Line, 0800 028 8000 - Available 24/7. For those who are currently going through a mental health crisis. During Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, current patients and carers should contact their community team who will be able to help.
-
The Samaritans, 116 123 - Available 24/7. For those who need emotional support or a listening ear.
Crisis Cafe
Are you struggling with your mental health and finding it difficult to cope? Come along to our Recovery Cafes in TOOTING and WIMBLEDON for a safe and supportive space. There is no need for an appointment, just turn up and you will be met by a listening ear, and benefit from companionship and from engaging in therapeutic support.
Tooting Recovery Cafe 966 Garratt Lane London SW17 0ND or telephone :07794 394 920
Sunshine Recovery Cafe 296a Kingston Rd London SW20 8LX or telephone:07908 436 617
Both Opening Hours: 6pm - 11pm (Mon - Fri) 12noon - 11pm (weekends & bank holidays) - The Listening Place - Provides free face to face, ongoing support, by appointment, for those struggling with suicidal thoughts, plans and actions. Website: listeningplace.org.uk/ or telephone: 020 3906 7676 (7 days a week, 9am-9pm)
- SANE Mental Health, 0300 304 7000 - Available every day, 4.30pm-10.30pm. For those who need specialist emotional support, guidance and information.
- The Silver Line, 0800 470 8090 - Available 24/7. For older people who are struggling with loneliness and would like to have a daily chat with someone.
- Childline, 0800 1111 - Available 24/7. For anyone under 19 who need to speak to someone about any issue they are going through.
- Switchboard, 0300 330 0630 - Available every day, 10am-10pm. For anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who need support or who are having issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.
To get you started with your recovery to improved mental health here are useful resources that we would recommend accessing as support while you wait.
Some can be used whilst you wait to be seen by the service and some can be used to help prepare you for therapy.
Togetherall:
Who is suitable for this intervention? :Togetherall is for anyone who may be suffering from Anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues, isolation, or perhaps situational distress or those who want to improve their wellbeing. Togetherall is free to anyone aged 16+ living in Wandsworth.
What is involved in this intervention?: Togetherall provides a safe, online community where people can anonymously share feelings, thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a confidential safe space. The online peer support community is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is monitored 24/7 by trained mental health professionals. The nature of peer support enables individuals to meet and interact with others experiencing the same. Feelings of empowerment, empathy and acceptance allows members to discuss their struggles, concerns and emotional stress freely with others. Togetherall also provides a hub of wellbeing tools and resources for members to use as they wish. For members who want to better understand their experiences and emotions, Togetherall also has an extensive collection of self-help courses created by our clinical team. These structured courses cover a range of common concerns,, for example, stress, worry or managing depression. We have more specific topics around OCD, Grief and Loss and Self-Harm.
Current average wait to start (in weeks): No waiting time, Available immediately by visiting www.togetherall.com and entering your postcode to register.
- Self Help Leaflets, https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/ - This website offers a range of self-help leaflets for Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, sleeping problems, stress and more. They are free to download and are available in different languages and easy to read formats.
- NHSinform, scot.nhs.uk - This website lists various mental health disorders, their symptoms and treatments. You can use this to learn more about what issues you are currently experiencing and the treatment options available to you.
- Getselfhelp, getselfhelp.co.uk/ - This website has lots of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy resources you can use and download for free.
- Centre For Clinical Interventions (CCI), cci.health.wa.gov.au (workbooks section) - The resources provided on CCI's website aim to provide general information about various mental health problems, as well as techniques that focus on a cognitive behavioural approach to managing difficulties.
- Mood Gym, moodgym.anu.edu.au - An innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression. It consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.
- Living Life to The Full, livinglifetothefull.com - An online course aimed at adults, providing easy access to CBT skills. It aims to empower users to tackle low mood, stress and distress through improving their understanding of why they feel as they do and teaching key life skills that will challenge these feelings. The course offers 10 modules based on Chris Williams’ Five Areas model and is in a self-help format, supported by workbooks to be used between sessions. Users must register to access the course. Free.
- Glasgow Steps, glasgowsteps.com - Glasgow Steps is an interactive site for anyone experiencing common stress problems. It is cognitive behavioural based and offers information, assessment (questionnaires which are completed and scored online) and self-help (teaching strategies to tackle these problems). It also provides downloadable self-help booklets. Free.
Other mental health services
There are other services that you can access online or via telephone for support.
- MIND - MIND provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Website: mind.org.uk/ or telephone: 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
- London Friend - London Friend offer counselling and support around issues such as same-sex relationships, sexual and gender identity and promoting personal growth and self-confidence. They are also home to Antidote - the UK's oldest LGBT drug and alcohol service. Website: londonfriend.org.uk/ or telephone: 020 7833 1674
Mobile phone apps
All the following applications (app) can be found by going onto the App Store (Apple users) or the Play Store (Android users) and searching for the app name. All the apps are free to download.
- BlueIce - This is an evidence-based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. It includes a mood diary, a toolbox of evidence-based techniques to reduce distress.
- Calm Harm - This is designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It’s private and password protected.
- Catch It - This app aims to teach you how to look at problems in a different way, turn negative thoughts into positive ones and improve your mental wellbeing.
- Feeling Good: positive mindset - This app aims to relax your body and mind with a series of audio tracks designed to help you build confidence, energy, and a positive mindset.
- WorryTree - This app aims to help you take control of worry wherever you are. You can use the app to record whatever you feel worried about.
