Mental Health
Immediate action required: Mental Health Crisis Information
If you are in a mental health crisis or worried about your safety, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option (24 hours), call Samaritans on 116 123, or in an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. For other ways to get urgent help, see where to get urgent help for mental health (NHS website).
On this page:
- Looking After Your Mental Health
- Links to Support, Services and Advice
- West Sussex Talking Therapies
- Children and Young People
- Learning Disabilities and Autism
- Local Support and Useful Information for Family Members
This page has information about looking after your mental health and wellbeing, and links to local and national support, including talking therapies, help for children and young people, and useful contacts for family members and carers.
Looking After Your Mental Health
One in four people in England will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year.
Good mental and emotional health is important at every stage of life.
Mental health and emotional wellbeing affect how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, make choices and manage our physical health.
Ways to maintain positive mental health include:
- Getting professional help if you need it
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
- Getting physically active
- Helping others
- Getting enough sleep
- Developing skills
Our Mental Wellbeing leaflet (PDF) is a printable summary of the main services on this page. It also lists more crisis support, including text and phone lines and local Staying Well services, and national helplines such as Mind, Relate, Cruse Bereavement Support and Citizens Advice.
For information about mental health conditions and how to help yourself, see the NHS Health A to Z. For services you can contact without seeing a GP first, see our Self Help and Self Referrals page.
Links to Support, Services and Advice
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West Sussex Talking Therapies
West Sussex Talking Therapies is an NHS service offering free, confidential talking therapy to adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in West Sussex. It is not a crisis service.
If you’re feeling low, anxious or worried, talking therapies can really help you. West Sussex Talking Therapies can also help people with depression, phobias, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), health anxiety, low self-esteem or low confidence, relationship difficulties and bereavement. Talking therapies are available in person, on the phone and by video call.
How Can I Access the Service?
You can refer yourself to West Sussex Talking Therapies – you don’t need to speak to your GP first. If you would rather speak to your GP first, they can refer you with your permission.
To find out more, or to refer yourself, see Talking Therapies West Sussex (Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust). You can also call the West team, which covers Southbourne, on 01273 265967 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.45pm).
Once you’ve referred yourself or your GP has referred you, a member of the team will be in touch with you for an initial assessment.
West Sussex Talking Therapies is provided by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
Children and Young People
The West Sussex Single Point of Access (SPoA) helps children and young people aged 4 to 17 who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing or mental health to get the right support. Young people, parents, carers and professionals can make a referral online.
Single Point of Access referral information on the e-wellbeing website
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), West Sussex Single Point of Access: 0300 304 0462
About the West Sussex Single Point of Access (Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)
ADHD and autism assessments for children do not go through the Single Point of Access. See ADHD and autism assessments for children on our Hospital and Specialist Referrals page.
Learning Disabilities and Autism
Young People with Learning Disabilities Moving to Adult Services
The West Sussex Lifelong Services Transition Team supports eligible young people who have a learning disability, and some young people who have autism or physical disabilities.
What the Lifelong Services Transition Team does (West Sussex Connect to Support)
Adults with Learning Disabilities or Autism
SeeAbility specialises in supporting people who have learning disabilities or autism, who may also have sight loss.
How SeeAbility can help people with learning disabilities and autism
ADHD and Autism Assessments
To ask for an ADHD or autism assessment for an adult or a child, including under the NHS Right to Choose, see ADHD and autism assessments on our Hospital and Specialist Referrals page.
Local Support and Useful Information for Family Members
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| Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove 0800 019 1310Carers Support West Sussex 0300 028 8888Taking Care (formerly Chichester Careline) 0800 085 7371 Supplies emergency alarm buttons (there is a fee). taking.careCareSeekers 01483 203636 A free service that helps families find the right care home, care agency or live-in carer. Chichester District Council GOV.UK Attendance Allowance helpline Chichester District Council, council tax |
One Call Sussex 0300 373 7111 Ask your GP for a Proactive Care referral. If you are already under the team, call this number.Sage House 01243 888691 A dementia support centre in Tangmere, West Sussex. www.dementiasupport.org.uk/sage-houseSouthern Water Priority Services Register 0800 027 0800 Extra support for customers who need it, including people with dementia, such as a password scheme and sending bills to a friend or carer.TuVida 01903 790270 Free emergency respite care for up to 48 hours (or up to 72 hours over a weekend or bank holiday) if the main carer suddenly cannot provide care. Useful Websites Age UK Alzheimer’s Society Dementia UK |
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