East Sussex mental health directory

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Section 1: Crisis and suicide prevention

Are you feeling unable to cope, worried you may hurt yourself or somebody else. Or having suicidal feelings?

Getting help when in crisis

For help straight away

If your life or someone else's life is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. A mental health emergency can be as serious as a physical one.

For same or next day help

Phone the NHS on 111 and select mental health (free phone 24/7)

If your first language is not English you can ask for an interpreter.

During busy periods, you may need to wait for someone to answer your call. 

Visit a Staying Well service

Staying Well is a service for adults who are in distress but are not a high risk to themselves or others.

It is open at evenings and weekends.

Freephone 0800 023 6475 and choose option 1 for Eastbourne, or 2 for Hastings St Leonards. There is also phone support for those who can’t visit in person.

You can use the Staying Well website for further info on opening times. 

Text Shout Sussex service

Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 for a free, confidential, 24/7 service. You can have a chat by text with a mental health worker. It can help if you feel anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed. They can also signpost to other services. You may prefer this to speaking on the phone.

Call the Samaritans

Freephone 116 123 (24/7) or visit the Samaritans website.

Call Childline

If you are under 19 you might prefer to speak with one of Childline's counsellors. 

Freephone (24/7) 0800 1111 or visit the Childline website. 

Download the Stay Alive App 

Useful info and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.

For urgent mental health support

Two East Sussex hospitals have an A&E department.

  • Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD
  • Eastbourne District General Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD

For those living on the edge of the county:

  • Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd, Brighton BN2 5BE
  • Princess Royal Hospital, Lewes Rd, Haywards Heath RH16 4EX

Before travelling to A&E, please consider other options. This could be your GP, other support services or NHS 111 Mental Health.

If you get treatment from mental health services you may have a safety plan. You may need to contact your community team (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday). Ask for your care coordinator or the person on duty.

Other suicide prevention services

Sussex Partnership NHS Trust Urgent Help Advice

Preventing suicide in Sussex

Advice for people who may be thinking about suicide and their friends and family. Warning signs and how to seek help.

Grassroots Suicide Prevention

Grassroots prepares communities, services and individuals to support someone at risk of suicide.

Available in Brighton and Hove with advice for all.

Support for Survivors of Suicide (SSOS)

For those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or who have attempted suicide. Assessments and counselling services are by phone or video call. Support is also provided if you have lost someone to suicide.

Mankind

Mankind helps support men who have mental health worries, or need to talk. Weekly groups in Eastbourne and Heathfield. Weekly groups in Eastbourne, Heathfield and Hailsham.

RunningSpace

Based in Sidley Bexhill, but with other free running groups in Hastings Ore. RunningSpace promotes life and good mental health through small friendly groups. No running experience needed, all faiths / no faith welcome.

National services

A significant change in your mental health

If you are not getting care from mental health services and experience the following:

  • Hearing or seeing things that others don't, for example hearing voices
  • Having strong beliefs that are not shared by others. For example believing there is a secret plan against you
  • Having large amounts of energy or movements, sleeping very little
  • Behaving in a bizarre and out of character way
  • Changes like wanting to avoid people, lack of basic self-care

You should get advice from NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online. These can be normal but can also be signs of something more serious.  

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Section 2: Mental health and wellbeing

This section lists services to help with mental health and wellbeing.

Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression

Feeling stressed, anxious, low or experiencing panic attacks?

Adults living in East Sussex can get free confidential support from Health in Mind. This is our NHS Talking Therapies service. 

Services include courses, online programmes and one-to-one sessions. They can help you manage your symptoms and improve your mental health. 

This service can't give urgent support to people having serious mental health problems. Instead, please see a GP who can refer you to the correct service.

East Sussex community services

Local organisations work as partners with the Council and NHS. They offer free community mental health support services. These are for adults living in East Sussex who have mental health challenges.

East Sussex UOK (Southdown)

  • Website: UOK
  • Call UOK East Sussex on: 0808 196 1768

Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays). Or you can arrange a call back by visiting Talk to us | UOK

Qwell digital support

Adults living in East Sussex can use our free digital wellbeing service. You can use Qwell 24 hours a day.   You don't have to give your personal details. Trained mental health workers can give you a range of support.

UOK Wellbeing service

There are Wellbeing Centres in Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Lewes, Uckfield and Newhaven. They offer daytime mental health and wellbeing support. The aim is to help adults to get well and stay well.  

Community Connectors

Community Navigators work in some GP surgeries in East Sussex.  They support people to improve their own health and wellbeing using social prescribing. Ask your GP if they have a Social Prescribing service.

Thinking Well

Specialist day support for adults living in East Sussex.  The service helps people who have Complex Emotional Needs (CEN). They may have received a diagnosis of personality disorder.

 The service made a film for people with CEN and family, friends, and workforce. This short animation may also be helpful.

Seaview

Seaview is an open access wellbeing centre in St Leonards. It helps people who have problems such as being homeless and having poor mental health.

Health and Wellbeing Service

Supports people with severe mental illness to improve their physical health.

Arts on Prescription

Charity in Hastings. Creative activities and confidence building workshops. Aim to enhance mental health and wellbeing and promote social engagement.

Compass Arts Eastbourne

A safe space. For anyone who is lonely or has lived trauma, mental illness or hidden disability. Free weekly drop ins include creative workshops and walks. Opportunities for young people, queer and trans artists, volunteering and lived experience research. For more info fill out A New Members Form on the Join Us page.

Info from our Mental Health Trust

Our NHS service is the Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). It supports people with serious mental health problems.  You can find further info and an A to Z of conditions on their webpages.

Adult Social Care and Health

Contact us if you or someone you know needs social care support.

Helping to improve services and advocacy

Mental Health Lived Experience Advisory Group

You can use your life experience to help shape future services.  For people who have used mental health services, or those who support them.

SWAN advocacy

For people with mental health challenges who need advocacy support and advice.

For anyone living in East Sussex.

  • Website: SWAN East Sussex
  • Phone: 0800 862 0995 (public) or 03333 447928 (professionals)

Rethink Mental Illness

Rethink improve the lives of people with diagnosed mental illness. They offer expert guidance and successful campaigning. The advice and information service is open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Low cost or free counselling

Sussex Community Counselling

Low-cost counselling by a BACP-accredited service. In person in Newhaven, Lewes, Hailsham and Eastbourne, or by phone or video call.

Counselling Plus Community

A charity which offers confidential affordable counselling to people aged 16 plus. Available face to face in Hastings and also through phone, Zoom or Skype.

Breakeven counselling

Breakeven offer free counselling for people who have gambling problems. This can be in person in Eastbourne or St Leonards. It can also be by video call or phone.

The Pelham Counselling service

Low cost counselling for people aged 11 and over in Bexhill.

The Old Bank Wellbeing Trust

A charity based in Eastbourne. It has bursaries to support those in financial hardship.

Black Minds Matter UK

Free talking therapy delivered by qualified Black therapists.

Counselling directory (may not be low cost)

Bereavement support

East Sussex 1Space directory lists local and national support:

If a suicide has affected you

Help is at Hand is for people bereaved by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death.

Suicide&Co

Supports people bereaved by suicide, with a helpline run by bereavement counsellors.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)

Peer-led support for adults affected by suicide loss. See website for resources and local online groups.

Sussex bereaved by suicide support

Cruse gives support for people who have lost someone due to suicide.

East Sussex support for people bereaved by suicide

A service which offers practical and emotional support following a suicide.

People who have witnessed a suicide

If someone you don't know died by suicide, Firsthand can support you.

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Section 3: Help for everyone

This sections lists services for particular groups of people.

Neurodiversity

Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not mental health conditions. Although people who are neurodiverse can have poor mental health. Sources of possible support are below:

LGBTQ+ support

Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard

Support and signposting for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people. 

  • Helpline: 01273 204050 (7 to 9.30pm Monday to Thursday only)
  • Website: Switchboard 

MindOut

Providing specialist mental health and wellbeing support for LGBTQ+ people, including:

  • mental health advocacy
  • peer support group work and peer mentoring
  • counselling
  • phone befriending
  • online support (Mon-Wed 3-5pm)
  • suicide prevention
  • trans and non-binary specific and specialist support
  • volunteering
  • Phone: 0300 7729855
  • Website: MindOut

Allsorts Youth Project

For children and young people under 26 and their families. If you are lesbian, gay, bi, trans or exploring your sexuality or gender preferences (LGBTQ+).

The Clare Project

Provides support options for people who are trans, non-binary and intersex. Most groups are in the Brighton area. East Sussex residents are welcome to attend and some online groups are also offered. 

Other information

A directory of free support (Sussex and UK) lists local services and social groups. Run by and for people who are LGBTQ+.

Also search ESCIS for both adult and youth LGBTQ+ support groups and organisations.

Other people in minority groups

The Links Project

Support and advice drop in. For asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants living in East Sussex.

Bad Nerves, Mental Health

Confidential mental health support for Gypsies and Travellers. Provided by Friends Families and Travellers (FFT).

Young people and parents

Find local info in our Children and families and Local Offer pages.

Parenting Smart

Place2Be offers mental health support in some of our East Sussex schools. Parenting Smart offers practical advice for parents and carers of children aged 5 to 11.

The Mix

National support for young people under 25, with online community. Also a text service, free counselling and other support.

FSN (St Leonards and Bexhill)

FSN supports families and children with a number of projects.

Support for new parents

New parents can experience changes to their mental health during pregnancy and beyond. Your GP or midwife can help if you have concerns.

The Sussex Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) are also here to support parents.

 Parents in Mind support women and partners. This can help during pregnancy and within the first two years after birth.

Muma Nurture

Eastbourne-based charity helping people affected by fertility, pregnancy and related loss. Offering low cost online and in person counselling and support.

Support for carers

If you look after someone with a mental health problem you are a carer. By offering them support, you’ll play a vital role in their wellbeing and recovery.

There is specific support for you in your caring role.

East Sussex Care for the Carers

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Supporting someone with a mental health problem

East Sussex County Council

Support groups for carers

Local services run by charities.

Carers O’Clock

Monthly sessions in East Sussex for unpaid carers with food and activity.

Mobilise Cuppa

Join other carers for a virtual cuppa and supportive chats. There is also lots of helpful info on their resources page.

Holding Space

Support for parents, children and families in the Eastbourne area. For people who have worries about mental health.

Carer’s directory

Eating disorders

People of any age or gender can have eating disorders. It's best to get help as soon as possible. The first place to go is your GP. They should refer you for further assessment by a specialist eating disorder service.

Sussex eating disorder services

There is a team to support children and families and a team to support adults.

Beat

The UK's leading eating disorder charity. You can talk with an adviser and find more info and resources.

Domestic abuse service

The East Sussex service is for people aged 16 years and over affected by domestic abuse and violence.

Website: Domestic abuse

Armed Forces services

Local mental health support for veterans

The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service offer free NHS mental health services. These are for ex-serving and UK Armed Forces staff living in Sussex.

Combat Stress

A national charity to support veterans’ mental health, with a 24/7 helpline

  • Phone: 0800 138 1619 (for veterans and families)
  • Phone: 0800 323 4444 (for serving and families)
  • Website: Combat Stress

Armed Forces Network

Help for local veterans, serving personnel and their families. Available across East Sussex

SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity

Practical, financial and emotional support for service personnel, veterans and their families. They offer a free and confidential support line 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri.

  • Phone: 0800 260 6767 (Forcesline)
  • Website: SSAFA

East Sussex Veterans' Hub

A local charity which supports the wellbeing of veterans in East Sussex.

Veterans' Growth

A charity in Westfield Rother which helps ex-service people through therapeutic gardening.

The Old Bank Wellbeing Trust

Offers free counselling for veterans' families as part of the Veterans Family Programme. Based in Eastbourne.

 1Space lists other veterans' services.

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Section 4: Self help

Things you can do to improve your own mental health and wellbeing.

Self help tools and opportunities

Every Mind Matters

Some simple steps to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing:

Health In Mind resources

Mindfulness

  • NHS mindfulness can start you on mindfulness and gives links to resources.

National Mind

Libraries services

East Sussex Libraries have pages on wellbeing with lots of resources and signposting. People in East Sussex can access free e-books and audiobooks.

Walking for wellbeing

Exercise and getting out into green spaces is good for your wellbeing.

East Sussex 123 Walks

This site has short walking routes between 1 and 3 miles. The walks come with printer friendly maps and parking nearby.

East Sussex Health Walks

These are weekly walks all over East Sussex. They are a way to meet people and get some exercise outside.

Dealing with loneliness

National Mind and Every Mind Matters have  advice and tips. Also other places you can go for support.

Just Friends

Social groups across East Sussex for anyone who lives alone. There are activities including lunches, trips and walking groups.

Phone services for wellbeing support

The Silver Line

A free, confidential phone service for older people. Open 24/7.

Independent Age

An advice and support service for older people. Open weekdays, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Mobilise Cuppa (for all carers)

Join other carers for a virtual cuppa and supportive chats twice a week. There is also lots of helpful information on their resources page.

Farming Community Network helpline:

A national helpline for farmers open 7am and 11pm every day. The service offers a chance to talk to someone who understands the challenges. They can help with stress, depression, alcohol or drug use, isolation or other worries.

Women's wellbeing

Wayfinder Woman

A female-run, volunteer led charity in Eastbourne. Supports women who are anxious or uncertain. Free drop-in hub and in person and online workshops and coaching.

Brighton Women's Centre

Services for women across Sussex, including low cost counselling.

Website: Brighton Women's Centre

Womankind Eastbourne

An informal support group for women who meet one evening a month.

Men’s wellbeing

Men's Health library resources

East Sussex Libraries have online tools and resources. These can support men's mental health and wellbeing.

Mankind Support Group

Mankind helps support men who have mental health worries, or need to talk. Weekly groups in Eastbourne and Heathfield. Weekly groups in Eastbourne, Heathfield and Hailsham.

Men's Sheds

Local spaces for men to connect, make friends and enjoy activities. There are groups all over East Sussex.

Take Action Man 

A nature based men's outdoor activity and support group in Hastings. Get active, learn new skills and spend time with others.

Men's mental health directory

This directory lists 40+ trusted organisations in Sussex supporting men’s mental health.

Website: Men's MH Local Directory

Podcasts about men's mental health

UK podcasts on men talking about mental health more: Manup!

Peer support services

Side by Side (offered through national Mind)

A supportive online community. For anyone who has an experience of mental health problems. You can connect with others who get what you are going through.  It’s live 24/7 and moderated daily from 8.30am until midnight.

Qwell

A free digital mental wellbeing service for adults in East Sussex. Peer-to-peer spaces for moderated conversations and support.

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Section 5: Addiction services

This section includes services for addiction to drugs and alcohol, gambling and gaming.

Drug and alcohol support

STAR (Change Grow Live)

The service helps people get back control and live life to its full potential.

East Sussex Recovery Alliance (ESRA)

ESRA provides drug and alcohol recovery services for anyone over the age of 18.

Under 25s Substance Misuse Service

For people under 25 who are struggling with alcohol or any drug. Nurses and social workers in the team can support you and your family.

One You East Sussex

Free personalised sessions to help you learn how to stop drinking, or cut down.

Adfam East Sussex

The service supports families and carers with info, one-to-one and group support. Adfam also run training for professionals.

East Sussex Veterans' Hub

The Hub provides recovery activities for people accessing substance misuse services.

Coastal Routes Recovery

Led by people in recovery, for people in recovery.

Other support for substance misuse

Helplines, online meetings and information to help you to recover from substance misuse:

Gambling support services

Southern Gambling Service

An NHS funded specialist service. It provides treatment to people with harm due to gambling or a gambling disorder.   It is open to anyone aged 17 and above living in Sussex.  Most support is online, one to on or in groups.

  • Website: SGS

Gamblers Anonymous

For people who gamble and want to stop. Offered through group support from people with lived experience of gambling.  Meetings occur in person in Eastbourne and Brighton and Hove.

Gamblers Anon

Gam-Anon helps people affected by someone else’s gambling. Meetings are online and face to face in Brighton the first Monday of each month. For details email brighton@gamanon.org.uk

Gamstop

A national service. It lets you exclude yourself from all GB licenced gambling websites.

Breakeven

Free support for people in East Sussex affected by gambling.

Problem gaming

National Centre for Gaming Disorders

A free national NHS service for people over 13 and their families.

Gamers can set limits with the time they spend online and/or gaming.  Or parents can do this for their children.  Visit Parental controls and privacy settings guides | Internet Matters. Set up parent controls based on your own device and broadband service.

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Section 6: Money getting you down?

Not having enough money can affect your wellbeing. This section lists places to get help.

Where to get help for money worries

Cost of living pages

Information from the Council. It can help you with benefits, housing, foodbanks, household bills and much more. Available in other languages.

Welfare benefits service and financial advice

Are worries about money or debts impacting your mental health? This service offers free, confidential advice and info. Open to people living in East Sussex Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm.

Shout Sussex 24/7 text service

Text SUSSEX to 85258 for free, confidential support at any time. They can support you if you are feeling low due to money worries.

Mental Health and Money Advice

A national impartial organisation. You can find advice and info on managing money, debts and benefits. There is also a toolkit to help with your mental and financial health.

Advice from Mind

 Money Helper 

A government-approved online advice service. It provides impartial free advice on money and debt issues.

 StepChange debt advice

A national debt help charity giving free, confidential and expert advice. Support with a personal action plan for as long as it's needed. This can be online or over the phone.

Money Saving Expert

Specialist advice and a Mental Health and Debt guide.

Citizen's Advice

The website includes guidance on how bailiffs should treat you if you have a health problem.  Bailiffs must treat you with greater care. This includes giving you more time to respond to letters or demands. They should not enter your home if you’re the only person there.

Mental Health Breathing Space

A debt relief scheme for people getting mental health crisis treatment. They can pause enforcement action and freeze interest and charges on your debts.

Carers' Money Matters

A project for carers living in East Sussex to help them to make ends meet.

For more local and national info

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Section 7: Work and education

Being in paid or voluntary work or education can be good for your mental health.

Support with work and volunteering

Free skills and employability support

The latest info on free to access skills, employment and other support in East Sussex.

Level Up

Free one to one mentoring support to help get people ready for work.

Connect to Work

Offers support to get you into a job that matches your own strengths and employment goals. For people who have a disability, long-term health condition, or other challenges.

Able Futures

DWP funded national service. Free support from a mental health specialist while working.

  • Website: Able Futures
  • Phone: 0800 321 3137 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)

Southdown Individual Placement and Support

Offer one-to-one support to gain and keep employment, voluntary work and education. For adults living in East Sussex who are using a mental health service.

Work in Mind

One-to-one support to find and keep employment, voluntary work and education. For adults living in East Sussex who have used the Health in Mind service..

Volunteering in East Sussex

Opportunities to improve your wellbeing by helping others. Including the TRIBE platform for volunteering near you.

Education for learning and recovery

Sussex Recovery College

Free educational courses about mental health and recovery. These are to improve your knowledge and skills and promote self care.

There are courses in Hastings, Eastbourne and Lewes. Some courses are also delivered online.  The College is for people with a moderate to serious mental health challenge. Also their family and close friends, or people who work to support them.

 Other free online courses are available at Recovery College Online.

Adult Community Learning

East Sussex College offers courses for people age 19 plus. Courses are free for adults on a low income. Delivered in Eastbourne, Hastings, Newhaven, and some other locations. Please contact the college to find out more and see what’s on offer.

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