Questions and Answers (FAQs)
Published: 25/04/23
Q: What is NCL Waiting Room?
A: NCL Waiting Room is a website that provides information and resources for children, young people, parents, carers, and professionals who are looking for mental health and wellbeing help or support. It is a system navigation tool that allows you to filter, search, save, and share resources. Coming later this year you will soon also have the option to create a tailored support plan for yourself or someone you care for, which you can share with others.
Q: What is ‘NCL ICS’?
A: NCL ICS is the North Central London Integrated Care System which covers five London boroughs: Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey.
Q: Who is NCL Waiting Room for?
A: NCL Waiting Room has been designed with young people, parents, carers, and professionals to help with navigating information about mental health and wellbeing help or support. It seeks to serve as a single source of truth for specialist and voluntary mental health and wellbeing information and services across North Central London.
Q: What types of resources does NCL Waiting Room offer?
A: NCL Waiting Room offers a range of resources, including information about assessments and talking therapy services, voluntary and community sector organisations, self-management tools, podcasts, videos, and links to other websites and support services.
Q: How do I use NCL Waiting Room to find help and support?
A: You can use the search bar in the NCL Waiting Room Support Hub to find information and resources on specific topics, or you can select different categories to filter relevant information and resources.
Q: Can I access NCL Waiting Room for free?
A: Yes, all the content on NCL Waiting Room is free to access. Some of the apps mentioned on Waiting Room may have in-app purchases or require a subscription, but we aim to make this clear where known to us.
Q: Is NCL Waiting Room confidential?
A: The information you enter on Waiting Room is not confidential. Periodically it could be viewed by the NCL Waiting Room team to better understand how people are using the website so we can improve our users’ experience. If you are in crisis or need urgent help, please contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately. You can also click the ‘Urgent Help’ button to find out about crisis services in your area.
Q: How do I contact the NCL Waiting Room team?
A: You can get in touch with the NCL Waiting Room team by emailing waitingroom@tavi-port.nhs.uk. We aim to respond to all messages within 48 hours. If you need help immediately, please dial 999 or visit your local A&E. You can also visit our Urgent Help page for information about help in a crisis.
Q: Is NCL Waiting Room suitable for children and young people to use?
A: Yes, the NCL Waiting Room website is designed to be accessible and user-friendly for children and young people, including those who are neurodiverse or have learning difficulties, as well as parents, carers, and professionals.
Q: Are the resources on NCL Waiting Room evidence-based?
A: Yes, the resources on NCL Waiting Room are recommended by mental health professionals (such as psychiatrists or clinical psychologists) and are based on the latest research and evidence.
Q: Can I share the resources from NCL Waiting Room with others?
A: Yes, you are welcome to share the resources from NCL Waiting Room with anyone you like. You can do this by clicking ‘Share’ on any page.
Q: What kinds of mental health difficulties does the Waiting Room website cover?
A: The Waiting Room website covers a wide range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low mood, stress, self-harm, eating difficulties, and more. You do not have to have a diagnosis to learn about help or support for particular difficulties.
Q: How do I know if I or my child or young person needs mental health help or support?
A: It can be difficult to know when to seek mental health help or support, but some common signs include changes in mood or behaviour, difficulty coping with daily life, and persistent feelings of sadness or worry. If you have concerns, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional, like your GP.
Q: Can I get a diagnosis or treatment plan from the Waiting Room website?
A: NCL Waiting Room is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak with a healthcare professional, like your GP.
Q: Can I access NCL Waiting Room on my mobile device?
A: Yes, NCL Waiting Room is designed to be mobile-friendly and can be accessed on a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets. You can even add it to your home screen for easy access like any other app.
Q: Does Waiting Room offer resources for professionals who work with children and young people?
A: Yes, Waiting Room offers resources specifically for professionals who work with children and young people, including teachers, GPs, social workers, and allied healthcare professionals.
Q: Is Waiting Room available in languages other than English?
A: Currently, Waiting Room is only available in English, but there are some resources on the platform which are available in other languages. If you are using a desktop computer or laptop to access Waiting Room, you can install a language plug-in to automatically change the language of any website.
Q: Can I suggest a topic or resource to be added to Waiting Room?
A: Yes! We welcome all suggestions for new topics or resources to be added to Waiting Room, as it is from those suggestions that we have built this website. Please get in touch by emailing us directly at waitingroom@tavi-port.nhs.uk.
Q: How do I know if a resource on Waiting Room is trustworthy?
A: Waiting Room only shares resources from reputable sources, such as experienced mental health professionals, government health websites, and mental health organisations or charities. However, it is always important to evaluate information for yourself and speak with a healthcare professional if you have concerns. You can also submit feedback on any resource or page by filling out the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
Q: Can I access Waiting Room from anywhere in the world?
A: Yes, Waiting Room website can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Q: Can I use Waiting Room anonymously?
A: Yes, you can browse Waiting Room anonymously.
Q: How often are the resources on Waiting Room updated?
A: The Waiting Room website is regularly updated with new resources and information, as well as revisions to existing resources as needed. Information on when a page was last updated is included on every resource page.
Q: Does the Waiting Room website offer crisis support?
A: The Waiting Room website is not a crisis support service. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs urgent help, please dial 999 or visit your local A&E. You can find out more about support in a crisis on our Urgent Help page.
Q: Can I get involved with Waiting Room as a volunteer or contributor?
A: Yes, we welcome volunteers and contributors. Please use the contact form to express your interest, and we will get in touch with you.
Q: Does Waiting Room offer resources for specific age groups?
A: Yes, Waiting Room offers resources for specific age ranges and groups, which can be selected using the Support Hub filters.
Q: Is Waiting Room a replacement for therapy or medication?
A: Waiting Room is not a replacement for professional medical advice or treatment, including therapy or medication. If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak with a healthcare professional or mental health expert.
Q: Does Waiting Room offer resources for parents and carers?
A: Yes, Waiting Room offers resources specifically for parents, carers, and family members of children and young people who may be struggling with mental health difficulties. You can select these filters in the Support Hub section of the website.
Q: Can I use Waiting Room to find support groups or online communities for mental health?
A: Yes, Waiting Room offers information on support groups and online communities that can provide additional support and resources for mental health and wellbeing.
Q: Can I get advice on how to navigate the mental health system?
A: Yes, Waiting Room offers information on how to navigate the mental health system, including how to find a mental health professional and how to access mental health services.
Q: How can I get involved in mental health advocacy and activism?
A: Waiting Room offers information on mental health advocacy and activism, as well as resources and organisations that you can get involved with to help make a difference.
Q: Can I use Waiting Room to learn more about specific mental health treatments or services?
A: Yes, Waiting Room offers information on specific mental health treatments or services, including types of therapy and medication, and what to expect from different types of treatment or services.
