Find your local hospital Haematology Psychology Team 

If you get your Sickle Cell, Thalassaemia or rare anaemia care at one of these South East London hospitals, or at a hospital with shared care, you may be able to ask for mental health support related to your haematology condition from the haematology psychology team that’s based in your hospital:  

• Guy’s & St Thomas Haematology Psychology Service – for adults (16+) https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/sickle-cell-and-thalassaemia/haematology-psychology-service 

• King’s College Hospital Psychology Service for Adults with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia, you can self-refer or seek advice by emailing kch-tr.psy-sta@nhs.net or calling 0203 299 5108  

• Lewisham and Greenwich Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Psychology Service 

Sickle cell and thalassaemia psychology (adults) | Lewisham and Greenwich 

Sickle cell and thalassaemia psychology (young people) | Lewisham and Greenwich 

Adult Support – Find your local NHS Talking Therapies  

If you require psychological support that is not related to your haematology condition you can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.  

Type your GP in here to find your local NHS Talking Therapies service. These services offer mental health support for a range of difficulties, including feeling low or anxious. You can refer yourself by calling them or filling in an online form. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies/. 

Paediatric Support 

If you are < 16 years old and require psychological support you can access haematology psychology services either via your Hospital Trust (King’s College Hospital, Evelina Children’s Hospital or Lewisham & Greenwich Hospital Trust). If in the South East of England some local Trusts have a psychologist, please liaise with your Haematology team. Parents/carers of young children can refer themselves or ask for their health professionals to do this. 

For general mental health support you do need to be referred by their GP for therapy, or can access counselling support through your school; you can also access general resources by Young Minds which has some signposts too: YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | Young Minds. 

Support in a crisis 

Please follow the advice below if you would like support immediately or in an emergency: 

• If you want to talk to someone about how you feel: call Samaritans 116 123 or text ‘Shout’ on 85258 for free (both services are available 24 hours) or contact your GP.  

• For urgent help for your mental health: call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk/guided-entry/mental-health-help or call your GP for an urgent appointment. 

• If you or someone else is at risk,or feel you cannot keep yourself safe and need help now, call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department (A&E).   

Community psychology offered in South East London boroughs of Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley, Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham 

For residents in these boroughs, there will be regular activities that the community psychologist will get involved in, although not all of these are patient-facing. Patient-facing activities include co-facilitating parent peer support groups, drop-in sessions on psychological wellbeing for people with sickle cell and parents/carers, brief direct 1-1 support if indicated, community engagement and co-production. Please talk to your acute medical team/community nursing team if you would like to find out more about this service.