East Sussex mental health directory

Latest

(Information last updated 20 May 2020)

During the coronavirus outbreak, our face-to-face mental health services will be delivered by phone, email and video calling.

Support is still being offered and new referrals accepted, see information below.

2. Mental health services and support

During the coronavirus outbreak

The following resources have some tips on how to support and manage our own mental health and wellbeing at this difficult time.

There are also a large number of national mental health helplines which are there to offer expert support and advice for yourself or a loved one at this time.

For advice relating to a mental health crisis see the crisis and suicide prevention page.

Mental health services

If you are showing signs of mental ill-health which are not improving with self-help interventions, the first thing you should do is speak with your GP, or if you have one, your Lead Practitioner in your Community Mental Health team.

Mental health issues are common and treatable. The sooner you seek help, the better. Please also check out the support available both locally and nationally.

Sussex Mental Healthline

This helpline for mental health care and advice (which is now 24 hours, 7 days a week, for all ages and carers) will be the best number to call for many mental health concerns during the pandemic. People who have general concerns about their mental health can also phone to receive psychological support at this time.

Health in Mind

A free NHS service for East Sussex residents who are experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood. You can self-refer through the website, and also find videos, top tips, and free online therapy programmes. Due to COVID-19 the service has had to make some temporary changes and are not able to provide their normal full range of therapies at the moment. Once a referral has been received the team will have a conversation with the person about what can be offered based on their individual needs.

Find more information on 1Space: Health in Mind

Adult Social Care

Contact Adult Social Care if you or someone you know are finding coping with day to day life a challenge and need support with your mental health.

East Sussex Community Network

Wellbeing centres

The seven East Sussex Wellbeing centre buildings are temporarily closed, with staff offering telephone, email and social media support for new and current clients age 16+.

Support for people’s mental health and wellbeing is still offered using new or existing support plans, Contact 01323 405334 or ESCN@southdown.org for general enquiries, or email your nearest wellbeing centre.

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Wellbeing Centres

Peer Support Service

People who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges will support you to take control of your mental health and stay well. Peer Specialists work with clients to develop Wellness Plans, identifying strategies and tools to help manage recovery and prevent crisis.

The service is still accepting new referrals including self-referrals from East Sussex residents.

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Peer Support Service

Staying Well Space

Out-of-hours ‘crisis café’ support available 7 evenings a week for adults (aged 16+) experiencing acute distress due to their mental health. Normally in venues in Hastings and St Leonards and Eastbourne, currently via phone support.

Those supported by Staying Well are generally experiencing distress related to a mental health condition, and are not considered at imminent risk of suicidal or self-injurious behaviour, or to pose an imminent risk of harm to others.

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Staying Well Space

Thinking Well

Specialist day support for adults living in East Sussex who are living with a diagnosis of Personality Disorder.

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Thinking Well

Access local services to improve your mental wellbeing

Community Connectors

When everyday life is affecting your mental health and wellbeing, we work in partnership with GPs to help you access local services and activities that can help.Community Navigators support individuals to improve their own health and wellbeing by developing personalised and practical solutions to everyday issues, following the Social Prescribing pathway, and encouraging self-help during the current period.

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Community Connectors

Low cost counselling services

Sussex Community Counselling

Low-cost counselling by a BACP-accredited service offered in Newhaven, Lewes, Hailsham and Eastbourne (includes funded youth counselling in the Havens area, this is temporarily suspended).

Find more information on 1Space: Sussex Community Counselling

Counselling Plus Community

A charity which offers confidential affordable counselling to people aged 16+ at times of stress, change, pain or loss. Normally available in Hastings, Bexhill, Rye and Northiam, the service is prioritising existing clients with remote counselling sessions. At this time, referrals are only accepted from SARC (the Sexual Assault Referral Centre) and from the Supporting Survivors of Suicide project for clients at high risk of suicide.

Find more information on 1Space: Counselling Plus Community

Support for Survivors of Suicide (SSOS)

For those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or who have attempted suicide. Assessments and counselling services are being offered via phone or video calls wherever possible at this time. Support is also provided if you have lost someone to suicide.

  • Tel: on 07796869484 (Service Manager Rhian)
  • Email: Rhian.gower@sussexcommunity.org.uk

Find more information on 1Space: Counselling Partnership

Mental health support for people in minority groups

The Links Project

A multi-agency support and advice project for asylum seekers, refugees and new migrant communities living in East Sussex. They are able to offer telephone, email and other social media based support at this time, contact Marc Turczanski (Project Coordinator) on 01424 444010, 07752495508 or marc@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk.

For support for people with asylum or refugee status, who are experiencing mental health distress, contact Val (Outreach and Engagement Officer) Val.Biggs@eastsussex.gov.uk or call 07825 754164.

Find more information on 1Space: The Links Project

Bad Nerves, Mental Health

Friends Families and Travellers (FFT) provides confidential and private mental health support for Gypsies and Travellers, with further advice and information on the FFT webpages.

  • Tel: 01273 234777 for the Sussex area helpline

Find more information on 1Space: Bad Nerves, Mental Health

Mindline Trans+

National evening helpline offering emotional and mental health support for anyone identifying as transgender, non-binary, genderfluid.

Find more information on 1Space: Mindline Trans+

Easy access service for people with complex lives

Seaview

An open access wellbeing centre in Hastings for people who are on the edge of society for a variety of reasons. The centre is now closed to clients, who have assured temporary accommodation for this period. Staff are offering telephone contact and advice, a postal service and signposting and onward referrals to other services continue. They are also taking individual orders for food, cooked meals, clothing and other resources for wellbeing.

Find more information on 1Space: Seaview

Support for young people

I-Rock

Young people (ages 14 to 25 years) can access advice and support on emotional and mental wellbeing. The service continues to offer a daily 11am-6pm service through virtual clinic software, telephone or email, and i-rock website. Facebook and Instagram pages have more information.

Available in Hastings, Eastbourne and Newhaven

Find more information on 1Space: i-Rock

E-Wellbeing

A new digital wellbeing service to support 13–25 year olds in Sussex with their mental health, designed by young people, for young people. The website provides self-help information, handy toolkits and a directory of local services and Covid19 advice.

Find more information on 1Space: e-wellbeing

E-motion

Free online counselling service for 12–18 year olds in East Sussex. E-motion is not a crisis or emergency service, but can allow you to talk about your problems and feelings in a safe supportive and private space. Visit the website to register.

Find more information on 1Space: e-motion

Teen Talk

A new Young Carers counselling service for 12 to 18 year olds in Hastings and Rother, now taking referrals and currently offering support by phone. For more information, contact Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or visit the website.

Find more information on 1Space: Teen Talk

Employment support

Employment Support

Offer one-to-one support to gain and retain employment, self-employment, voluntary work and education. For adults (aged 16 years +) living in East Sussex who are using a mental health service.

Available across East Sussex

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Employment Support

Work in Mind

One-to-one support to find and retain emploment, self-employment, voluntary work and education for adults (aged 18 years +) – referrals are accepted direct from Health in Mind teams only.

Available across East Sussex

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown Work in Mind

Education for learning and recovery

Sussex Recovery College

Educational courses about mental health and recovery which are designed to increase your knowledge, skills and promote self-management.

Usually available at the Hastings and Rother Campus and the Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford, High Weald, Lewes and Havens Campus.

During the pandemic, free online courses can be accessed at Recovery College Online.

Find more information on 1Space: Sussex Recovery College

Discovery College

A learning journey to wellbeing for children, young people (ages 12 to 20 years) and supporters (relatives, friends and carers).

Usually available at the Hastings and Rother Campus and the Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford, High Weald, Lewes and Havens Campus

Find more information on 1Space: Discovery College

Adult Community Learning

East Sussex College offers activities and learning experiences which can be tailored to support people age 19+ with mild to moderate mental health issues. Normally available in Eastbourne, Lewes and Newhaven, limited courses are currently being delivered by video tutorials. Please contact the college to find out more and see what’s on offer.

  • Tel: 030 300 38212
  • Email: Community.Info@sussexdowns.ac.uk

Find more information on 1Space: Adult Community Learning

Southdown ‘padlet’ listing online learning opportunities

A range of places to find free courses to keep you occupied and learning.

Self-help mental health resources

Every Mind Matters

National web resource with a personal plan, expert advice and practical tips - more information and link to the national pages

Books on prescription

Our libraries offer self-help books for for people who are finding it difficult to cope or need advice on a specific emotional or mental health problem.

Wellbeing boxes

Boost your wellbeing by borrowing a wellbeing box from your library. Each box contains interactive resources, local service information and literature, following the 5 steps to mental wellbeing (connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, give).

Football therapy

A free, drop-in session aimed at any adult (male or female) who is going through mental well-being issues of any kind.

Available in Lewes.

Find more information on 1Space: Football therapy

Service user involvement and engagement

People in Partnership

If you want to help shape the experience and improve the quality of mental health services, we can work alongside you to do so.

Available in Hastings and Rother, Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford.

Find more information on 1Space: Southdown People in Partnership

Advocacy and representation

POhWER

Information and advocacy services for people who need support because of problems with their mental health.
Available across East Sussex.

Find more information on 1Space: POhWER

Bereavement Support

Our searchable East Sussex 1Space directory lists local and national support

Print entire guide

Related information