New Mental Health Guide co-produced for Londoners affected by migration

The Mayor of London is supporting the launch of a new wellbeing resource, co-created by people with lived experience of the asylum and healthcare system in the UK, to support migrant communities across the capital.  

The guide, titled “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay”, arrives as many Londoners face pressure from anti-migrant narratives alongside the hardships of rebuilding a life. The guide offers accessible, practical support for anyone experiencing emotional strain linked to migration and displacement. The authors used workshops, led by Doctors of the World UK, to ensure the guide reflects real struggles and strengths, bringing together the collective care and the wisdom found in cultural traditions.  

The Co-production between Doctors of the World UK and Thrive LDN was supported by the Mayor of London. This resource aligns with the “You Are Loved and Wanted” campaign from City Hall which reminds all Londoners that they are a vital part of the city.  

The resource was shaped through workshops with Doctors of the World UK’s National Health Advisors (NHAs), people with lived experience of the UK’s asylum and healthcare system. This ensured the guide reflects both real struggles and strengths. Philomene Uwamaliya, Lived Experience Trustee, Doctors of the World UK, said: “Even in times of fear and uncertainty, community is a place of shelter. When we lift each other up, we remember that healing is something we do together.” 

Support through connection 

The guide shares five tips to look after wellbeing: 

• Connection: Strengthening trust with people you know. 

• Mental breaks: Limiting exposure to the news and using grounding techniques. 

• Self-kindness: Noting small achievements and accepting help. 

• Movement: Using gentle activity to shift difficult feelings. 

• Faith and culture: Finding peace through traditions, faith, and creativity. 

Commenting on the project, Hassan Hussain, Policy and Advocacy Participation Lead, Doctors of the World UK, said: “It’s truly inspiring how people come together to ensure that anyone passing through their path of healing and recovery feels supported and never alone.  

“Working through the guide with the Lived Experience experts reassured me that it’s okay not to be okay, and that it’s equally okay to want to be heard and recognised for what you value most.” 

Community resilience 

Focusing upon displacement and shocks 

The development of the resource has been supported and funded by the Mayor of London in partnership with Thrive LDN. The work is part of a broader programme to support Londoners through significant life shocks. 

Dan Barrett, Director of Thrive LDN, explains that the guide supports the wellbeing and resilience for those facing displacement and wider shocks. He notes that everyday spaces and simple connections are essential sanctuaries. These places help people show up for one another during emergencies. Thrive LDN is working to translate the resource into a range of community languages. This effort ensures as many people as possible seeking sanctuary in London can find support in a language they prefer. 

Thrive LDN is now working to translate the resource into a range of community languages. This ensures that every person seeking sanctuary in London can access the support they deserve in a language they understand.