Navigating Self-Care

On this page, practice staff can find links to up-to-date local information on self-referral services including counselling and mental health, antenatal and sexual health services to pass on to residents/patients.

To see a targeted list of services, you can enter keywords (such as mental health) into the filter box below.

Reception telephone triage support can be found in Downloads.


MECC: Simple Signposting to Better Health and Wellbeing

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is an effective and evidence-based approach focused on improving people's health and wellbeing by helping them change their behaviour. MECC encourages you to use your day-to-day interactions with the public, to engage in conversations about a range of topics such as improving their health, addressing risk factors such as alcohol, diet, physical activity, smoking and mental wellbeing.

The MECC Link London resource is intended for use by health and social care professionals, GPs, nurses, police, social prescribers, and anyone offering frontline help and support in communities across London. By choosing location view you can see your local services by borough.


Area specific guidance for Camden

MECC training is aimed at staff working in Camden and Islington and focuses on how to identify and use opportunities arising during routine interactions with patients to have conversations about how they might make positive improvements to their health and wellbeing.

Through the MECC courses you will be equipped with the skills to identify when a resident may be struggling with an issue, how to have a brief and supportive conversation with them, providing additional advice, support and signposting to further help.

MECC courses can be booked via the Camden MECC page or Islington MECC page, with new dates added each quarter.

There are two courses on offer: 

  • Good Conversations for MECC: This is for anyone who has regular short conversations with residents. During this course, you will understand the core MECC framework, develop your conversation and active listening skills, and learn about how and where you can signpost residents to further support.
  • Basics of Motivational Interviewing: This is a more advanced course for staff who have the opportunity for longer (10-15 minute) conversations with residents. Learn how to identify and strengthen people’s motivation to change through conversations.

To set up a closed session for your team, contact Michael Godfrey: michael.godfrey@camden.gov.uk or Sara Ali: sarah.ali@islington.gov.uk


Area specific guidance for Islington

MECC training is aimed at staff working in Camden and Islington and focuses on how to identify and use opportunities arising during routine interactions with patients to have conversations about how they might make positive improvements to their health and wellbeing.

Through the MECC courses you will be equipped with the skills to identify when a resident may be struggling with an issue, how to have a brief and supportive conversation with them, providing additional advice, support and signposting to further help.

MECC courses can be booked via the Camden MECC page or Islington MECC page, with new dates added each quarter.

There are two courses on offer: 

  • Good Conversations for MECC: This is for anyone who has regular short conversations with residents. During this course, you will understand the core MECC framework, develop your conversation and active listening skills, and learn about how and where you can signpost residents to further support.
  • Basics of Motivational Interviewing: This is a more advanced course for staff who have the opportunity for longer (10-15 minute) conversations with residents. Learn how to identify and strengthen people’s motivation to change through conversations.

To set up a closed session for your team, contact Michael Godfrey: michael.godfrey@camden.gov.uk or Sara Ali: sarah.ali@islington.gov.uk


Directory of Services


Downloads



Review date: Tuesday, 27 May 2025