NEW out-of-hours crisis prevention service opens in Brighton & Hove
Posted on 5 February 2021
On the 14th December 2021, a new out-of-hours mental health crisis prevention service called Staying Well opened in Brighton and Hove (operating weekdays 5.30pm – 10.30pm and weekends 3.30pm – 10.30pm). This new service enhances the current mental health and wellbeing services delivered in the City and is part of Community Roots network of community and voluntary sector support services.
The Staying Well service provides psychosocial support and crisis prevention planning. This includes proactively contacting clients who have been referred or self-referred to the service to build crisis plans together, increasing resilience and coping skills. The service differs from the Sussex Mental Healthline in that ongoing support can be provided to help stabilise a person’s situation.
People can access the service directly for support when they feel they aren’t able to cope, or feel they are headed towards a crisis point. Referrals can also be made by GPs, mental health providers or other professionals. Please note, the service is not a drop-in service and requires a referral first.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and current national lockdown, the service is currently providing support by telephone only to ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of clients and staff are met.
The service is provided by Southdown, in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, as part of an integrated pathway of mental health support.
Lynsey Hermann, Service Lead for Southdown Mental Health Support, says: “The service is a much needed addition to our existing support offer and for people living in Brighton and Hove. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen a rise in support needs in mental health services, and the impact this has on A&E and clinical services. The Staying Well Service will offer a safe space to welcome people, with dedicated Recovery Advisors and Peer Support Workers to support them in crisis and work on a plan of support.”
Staying Well Brighton & Hove follows the success of two existing Staying Well services in East Sussex, provided by Southdown in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Professionals and individuals can contact Staying Well Brighton & Hove by calling Freephone 0800 023 6475 option #3 or via email at stayingwell.brighton@southdown.org or for NHS.net secure accounts please email spnt.brighton-stayingwell@nhs.net
Click here to find out more about Staying Well, including referral pathways and forms.
