Online mental health support service, Qwell, joins Southdown’s UOK partnership

Posted on 9 December 2024

Southdown has chosen Qwell, a personalised digital mental wellbeing service for adults provided by Kooth, to join the UOK partnership. It offers free, anonymous, and personalised digital wellbeing support for adults in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex.

Available via www.uok.org.uk  from the 9 December, Qwell provides 24/7 access to mental wellbeing resources with no waiting lists or eligibility thresholds.

● Available to all adults in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex via www.uok.org.uk

● Free, safe, and anonymous, personalised digital mental health support

● Accessible 24/7 and has no waiting lists or thresholds to meet 

● Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)  

It aims to provide an additional easy-access online tool that is complementary to existing specialist mental health support services and pathways provided by the NHS (e.g. NHS Talking Therapies services, such as Health in Mind or Brighton and Hove Wellbeing service), Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams, and the voluntary sector. People accessing the UOK website and Qwell will always be directed to the appropriate intervention, be that clinical, therapeutic, or social that best meets their individual needs.

Key features of the Qwell online service include:

• Supportive information resources on various topics like parenting, relationships, and neurodiversity, available through reading, listening, or watching content.
• Self-guided activities such as journaling, mood tracking, and goal setting.
• Peer-to-peer forums for moderated conversations and support.
• Supportive messaging with mental health practitioners, available at any time.
• Professional live text chat support when needed.

Funded by NHS Sussex, Brighton & Hove City Council, and East Sussex County Council, Qwell has been selected for its alignment with the Sussex Transforming Community Mental Health Services programme, which focuses on ensuring that people are able to access the appropriate wellbeing support they need, when they need it.

Neil Blanchard, Chief Executive at Southdown, explained: “Investing in Qwell aligns with our commitment to support and promote good mental wellbeing for all; this includes offering people a choice of support that meets their needs. Qwell’s integration capabilities and unique out-of-hours provision make it a valuable addition to the UOK partnership, NHS services, as well as the wider mental health network of services across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex.”

Dr Lynne Green, Chief Clinical Officer at Kooth, added: “Despite increased awareness of the importance of seeking mental health support, many adults don’t find it easy to ask for help. This is where digital mental wellbeing services that are accessible at a mere click (or tap) of a button, are an invaluable part of the ecosystem of support. Qwell ensures that people have access to anonymous, safe and effective mental health care and support around the clock. Being selected by Southdown as part of the UOK Partnership will help to ensure that the right help is available to adults in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex at the right time. No matter how big or small the issue, our team of experienced practitioners and professional counsellors are here to help.”

For more information on Qwell, please click the button below: