People struggling to cope or experiencing a mental health crisis can now access immediate, out-of-hours support, seven days a week, at Staying Well services across Sussex.
The festive period can be particularly challenging, and health and care partners are encouraging people to use alternatives to A&E so that anyone in crisis can receive timely support in a safe and therapeutic environment which is better suited to their needs.
Staying Well is delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with local voluntary and community sector organisations. The services do not require an appointment or professional referral and are open from 5pm to 10.30pm on weekdays, and from 3pm to 10.30pm at weekends, including throughout Christmas and New Year.
Located in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing, Staying Well provides a welcoming space for adults aged 18 and over who need mental health support and offers a therapeutic alternative to A&E.
Over the past three months more than 2,000 people have accessed the Staying Well services across Sussex. This represents a 122 percent increase compared with the same period in 2023, when 900 people attended, and demand continues to grow month by month. These are people who might otherwise have gone to A&E. Every month, more than 1,000 people across Sussex attend A&E for urgent mental health support, and the quieter and calmer environment offered by Staying Well can be much more appropriate for someone in emotional distress.
Visitors to Staying Well can speak to recovery workers, mental health practitioners and peer support workers with lived experience, who are on hand to offer emotional support, coping strategies and safety planning. Mental health practitioners can carry out clinical assessments and may refer people to other mental health services for ongoing support. The teams can also accept referrals from emergency services such as South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police.
Jenny Thorne, Manager at Staying Well Worthing, said:
“We offer a safe and welcoming space for people who feel they have reached breaking point. They can come and talk to our friendly team without judgement and find the support and care they need. They can stay and have a cup of tea and some company.
“Many people say they came to us when they felt they had nowhere to turn but came away feeling less alone and a little more hopeful. That is what we hope to bring people over the festive season.”
Oliver Dale, Chief Medical Officer at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Christmas can be an especially difficult time for many people. Staying Well offers a safe and understanding space to anyone feeling they are unable to cope. Doors are open every evening, including throughout Christmas and the New Year, so no one has to face a crisis alone.”
Dr Amy Dissanayake, Interim Chief Medical Officer at NHS Sussex, said:
“Winter and the holiday season can be a particularly tough time for people, and we know the festive period can heighten feelings of stress, loneliness or crisis.
“Just as it is important that people make use of Urgent Treatment Centres, Minor Injury Units and NHS 111, it is equally important that we all get to know the mental health services available in our local area for ourselves and for our loved ones.
“Services like Staying Well offer the right support at the right time, providing a calm and compassionate alternative to A&E when people need urgent help.”
Find out more about the Stay Well services available in Sussex.