The scale of mental health problems and related challenges facing local public services was laid bare this week, when London Assembly members heard that one in six adults suffers from mental health issues – while suicide is now the biggest killer of young men in the capital.

The London Assembly's health and public services committee took evidence from NHS practitioners on 13 December, and was warned mental health issues affected more than one-quarter of patients in London's accident and emergency departments, and almost one-third of people consulting their GPs.