Love Island heartthrob and A&E doctor Alex George officially opened a new mental health crisis café called The Harbour at University Hospital Lewisham today.

The Harbour is a partnership between Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and mental health charity Certitude.

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The café was set up to offer people who are feeling distressed a person to talk to in a relaxed, non-clinical setting which aims to help them avoid spending extended time in the emergency department or as an inpatient at the hospital.

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Speaking at the opening, the reality show star expressed his delight about his involvement in the project as it's an issue he encounters quite a bit during his duties.

"I’m really excited to be supporting this fantastic initiative for local people and to reduce the stigma around mental health. I see many people every day in A&E experiencing mental health needs, such as anxiety and depression.

"This café will be a safe place for them to come, take some time out, talk about their concerns and give them access to specialist support," he said.

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Director of mental health for Certitude, Liz Durrant, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this great new partnership.

"We believe in the power of peer support and the need for alternative places for people to get support when they are experiencing crisis."

The Harbour will be open to those who need it between 2pm and 6am, seven days a week, and will be staffed by a range of experts, including people who have experienced mental health problems themselves.

It will only be available for Lewisham patients who have been referred by specific medical teams within the hospital.

The project will initially support up to six people at a time.