Getting support over Christmas

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 a Staying Well service (out-of-hours mental health crisis support service for people aged 18+) available in Brighton , Eastbourne and East Sussex
• 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.

There’s also a brand new campaign from Sussex Partnership NHS to support people in Sussex to get help with their mental health. See How Are You Really Feeling? Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

• Call NHS 111 and select the Mental Health Option (also known as the Sussex Mental Healthline)
• Text the word SUSSEX to 85258
• Contact Papyrus HOPELINE247. Call: 0800 068 4141, Text: 88247 or email [email protected]. Open 24/7 year round, HOPELINE is for young people who are thinking of about suicide or for the people who care for them.

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, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), you can refer yourself to your NHS Talking Therapies at Brighton & Hove and East Sussex.

Mental health support at your GP surgery 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 the Emotional Wellbeing Service, or similar service, at most GP surgeries. These services can provide you with information, advice, guidance and support. Contact your GP surgery to find out what mental health support is available.

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.

Your child can access mental health support via their school, GP or local wellbeing services if they are suffering from things like anxiety, low mood or stress.

We cover community mental health services in detail on our page on Mental health for children and young people. We also signpost you to lots of online information and resources that can help.

You can also download our Mental Health fact sheets for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex .

Or you can visit the Sussex CAMHS website to find out about getting support or read resources about mental health and wellbeing for children and young people.