Getting help in a mental health crisis

News - 10 July 2022

If you need to get help with your mental health - or are worried about a family member or friend - here are some things you can do.

What to do in an emergency

If you feel that your own or someone’s life is in danger, we advise you to call 999 immediately. Please also see our advice on what you can do if you need urgent help in a crisis. 

If you or the person you are concerned about currently receives care from one of our services, such as a community mental health team, please get in touch with the specialist team as soon as possible and refer to the care plan. This will contain details of who to contact in an emergency.

Talk to someone now about how you are feeling

  • Call the Sussex Mental Healthline: 0800 0309 500

24/7 mental health telephone support and information service

If you are worried about your mental health or that of a relative or friend, please call the Sussex Mental Healthline. This is a free service for anyone who may be in crisis and in need of help with their mental health. Find out more about the Sussex Mental Healthline.

  • Call the Samaritans helpline on 116 123

The Samaritans is a free service which is available 24/7.  A volunteer will listen to you and help you talk through you concerns, worries or troubles.

Get online support for your mental health and wellbeing

  • Text SUSSEX 85258 

If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, you can text the word SUSSEX to 85258. This free, confidential, anonymous text support service is available 24/7 and is led by volunteers who have been trained to have a conversation and can support you to get to a calmer place. 

Several apps are available to support people who are experiencing mental health challenges. 

StayAlive app

If you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide, you may find the StayAlive app helpful.  Download it from the Apple App store or Google Play. 

You may also find the following apps and online community helpful for your mental health and wellbeing: 

Find a local mental health service

If you need ongoing mental health support, here is a list of mental health services in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex. You can contact and refer yourself directly to these services.

Mental health services in Brighton & Hove

Staying Well 

For out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention support: 

Opening hours:

  • Weekdays - 5.30pm to 10.30pm
  • Weekends - 3.30pm to 10.30pm

For a full list of mental health services in Brighton & Hove, visit: www.uok.org.uk/

Mental health services in East Sussex 

Staying Well - Eastbourne

For out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention support: 

Opening hours:

  • Weekdays - 4pm to 10.30pm
  • Weekends - 3pm to 10.30pm

Staying Well - Hastings (St Leonards-on-Sea)

For out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention support: 

Opening hours:

  • Weekdays - 4pm to 10.30pm
  • Weekends - 3pm to 10.30pm

For a full list of mental health services in East Sussex, visit: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/social-care/health-advice/mental-health/east-susse...

Mental health services in West Sussex 

Staying Well - Worthing

For out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention support: 

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Friday - 5pm to 10.30pm 
  • Saturday and Sunday - 12pm to 10.30pm

Staying Well - Crawley

For out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention support: 

Opening hours:

  • Monday to Friday - 5pm to 11.00pm 
  • Saturday and Sunday - 3pm to 11.00pm

For a full list of MH support services in West Sussex please visit: www.pathfinderwestsussex.org.uk/