For immediate help
If your life – or someone else’s life – is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E.
For same or next day help
You can get help with your mental health in different ways depending on what you prefer. All services are free.
● Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (also known as the Sussex Mental Healthline) or the Samaritans on 116 123 (both available 24/7)
● Visit the Staying Well service (out-of-hours mental health crisis support service for people aged 18+) in Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Crawley, Worthing,
● Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 (24/7 mental health text-messaging support service).
● Download the Stay Alive app – a suicide prevention resource full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.
If you are a carer for someone with a mental health difficulty: caring for someone with a mental health difficulty
Feeling stressed, anxious, low or experiencing panic attacks?
NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression
If you live in Sussex, are over 18 and are struggling with common mental health problems such as feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), you can refer yourself to
NHS Talking Therapies Brighton & Hove
NHS Talking Therapies East Sussex
NHS Talking Therapies West Sussex
NHS Talking Therapies are free, confidential and provide a wide range of support, including courses, online programmes and one-to-one sessions. They aim to help you understand your symptoms and take practical steps to improve your mental health. NHS Talking Therapies is unable to provide urgent mental health help or support to people experiencing more severe difficulties with their mental health. Instead, please fill out a Klinik Access form or call the surgery so we can refer you to the appropriate service.
Mental health support at WellBN
If you have a diagnosed mental illness or are having difficulties with your mental health and would like coping strategies to help, you can get support with your mental health from us at WellBN. Contact us by filling out a Klinik Access form or by calling us to find out what mental health support is available. We have lots of Self Care Advice on this website. We have a mental health worker and we also run group support sessions.
Experiencing a significant change in your mental health?
You should call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online for advice if you – or the person you are concerned about – experience a significant change in your mental health and are not already receiving care from mental health services. This might include:
● Hearing or seeing things that are not experienced by other people, for example hearing voices
● Having strong beliefs that are not shared by others, for example believing there is a conspiracy against you
● Having excessive energy or movements, sleeping very little
● Behaving in a bizarre and out of character way
● Changes in behaviour like wanting to avoid people, lack of basic self-care.
Whilst these can be normal experiences, they can also be signs of something more serious.
Worried about money, housing or another issue that is affecting your mental health?
There are lots of ways you can get practical help with issues that may be affecting your mental health.
…if you live in Brighton & Hove
Money worries and cost of living support
Help with housing
Support for people affected by domestic abuse
Drug and alcohol recovery support
…if you live in East Sussex
Money worries and cost of living support
Help with housing
Support for people affected by domestic abuse
Drug and alcohol recovery support
…if you live in West Sussex
Money worries and cost of living support
Help with housing
Support for people affected by domestic abuse
Drug and alcohol recovery support
Social Prescribing service at WellBN
Social Prescribers can connect you to support, services and activities to help address the challenges and issues you may be struggling with.
Where to find advice and information about local mental health support
Not sure what support you need or would like? There are several communitybased groups that can support you with your mental health, whether you have a diagnosed mental illness or need short-term help or advice about your mental health. Find out what’s available in your area.
….If you live in Brighton & Hove
Call UOK on: 0808 196 1768 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) or you can arrange a call back
Visit the UOK website
If you are a carer for someone with a mental health difficulty, visit The Carers Center
….If you live in East Sussex
Call UOK on: 0808 196 1768 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) or you can arrange a call back
Visit the UOK website or the East Sussex Mental Health Directory.
If you are a carer for someone with a mental health difficulty: East Sussex Mental Health Directory for carers
….If you live in West Sussex
Pathfinder is an alliance of mental health support providers, covering seven areas in West Sussex – Littlehampton, Horsham, Worthing, Crawley, Chichester, Midhurst and Adur.
If you are a carer for someone with a mental health difficulty:
www.carerssupport.org.uk and www.carerssupport.org.uk/mental-health