Mental health support in Sussex

Feeling unable to cope, worried you may hurt yourself or somebody else and/or experiencing suicidal feelings?

Important: 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.

NHS 111

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 a staying well service

Visit a staying well service (out of hours mental health crisis support service for people aged 18+ available in Brighton).

Text for help

Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 (24/7 mental health text-messaging support service).

Download Stay Alive app

Download the Stay Alive app, a suicide prevention resource full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.

For more advice on coping with suicidal thoughts, please visit the following sites:

Counselling services

Counselling services/ talking therapies

If University of Sussex student:

You will have access to the University Therapeutics Service which is based on campus.

Please visit their website or drop into their service on campus, www.sussex.ac.uk/counselling.

For those that are not University of Sussex students

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, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), you
can refer yourself to your NHS Brighton & Hove Talking
Therapies: www.brightonandhovewellbeing.org

Services 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 see a GP who can refer you to the appropriate service.

Low cost private counselling options available in Brighton

There are others you can explore if these don’t suit. As they’re not provided by the NHS, we can’t endorse a specific clinic but hopefully this will give you options for accessing support.

Other resources

  • Student Space

    Student Space, options of  web chat, text and e-mail support

    Website
    www.studentspace.org.uk

  • NHS Mental health

    Find information and support for your mental health.

    Website
    NHS: Mental health

  • Kooth

    Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss their mental health issues.

    Website
    www.kooth.com

  • Samaritans

    Offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like- 24 hours a day, 365 days per year – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.

    Website
    www.samaritans.org

  • Rethink Mental Illness

    Provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

    Phone
    0121 522 7007

    Website
    www.rethink.org

  • Mind

    Provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

    Phone
    0300 123 3393

    Website
    www.mind.org.uk

  • E-motion

    A free online counselling project for young people aged 12-18 years who live in East Sussex. A confidential service offering counselling via email or live messaging.

    Website
    www.e-motion.org.uk

    Email
    frankie@e-motionbh.org.uk

  • Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Services

    The Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service is a free NHS service for anyone aged 4 years old and upwards with a postcode beginning BN1, BN2, BN3 or BN41.

    Phone
    0300 0020060

    Website
    Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Services

    Email
    bics.brighton-and-hove-wellbeing@nhs.net

  • Hopeline247

    A confidential support and advice service for under-35s who are experiencing thoughts of suicide or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide

    Phone
    0800 086 41 41

    Website
    www.papyrus-uk.org

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.

Social prescribing service at our GP surgery

Social prescribers can connect you to support, services and activities to help address the challenges and issues you may be struggling with.

Ask your GP or our GP surgery to connect you to our social prescribing service.

Where to find advice and information about local mental health support

Not sure what support you need or would like?

There are several community based 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.

Useful apps and podcasts

  • Headspace

    Makes practicing mindfulness easier.

    You can sign up for free on their, Take 10 programme, just 10 minutes a day for 10 days

  • Emoodji 

    An app created by Mind, designed specifically for students. University life can have its ups and downs, but Emoodji is there throughout.

    A fun way of looking after yourself, sharing with friends and supporting each other.

  • Breathe

    A mindfulness app that helps you stay calm and battle anxiety by sending you gentle deep breathing reminders throughout the day.

  • Happify

    An app aimed at developing skills in order to boost emotional wellbeing.

  • Calm Harm

    Is a free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm