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Mental health support services

Horsham District Council does not directly deliver mental health services. This page is for signposting support only.

Feeling unable to cope, worried you may hurt yourself or somebody else and/or experiencing suicidal feelings?

Where to get immediate help

If your life - or someone else's life - is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E.

For same or next day help

You can get help with your mental health in different ways depending on what you prefer. All services are free.

  • Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (also known as the Sussex Mental Healthline) or the Samaritans on 116 123 (both available 24/7)
  • Visit a Staying Well service (out-of-hours mental health crisis support service for people aged 18+ available in Crawley and Worthing.
  • Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 (24/7 mental health text-messaging support service).
  • Download the Stay Alive app - a suicide prevention resource full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.

Feeling stressed, anxious, low or experiencing panic attacks?

The following are services that you can either contact directly (details below) or be referred by a GP.

NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression

If you live in Sussex, are over 18 and are struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), you can refer yourself to your NHS Talking Therapies West Sussex.

Services are free, confidential and provide a wide range of support, including courses, online programmes and one-to-one sessions. They aim to help you understand your symptoms and take practical steps to improve your mental health.

NHS Talking Therapies is unable to provide urgent mental health help or support to people experiencing more severe difficulties with their mental health. Instead, please see a GP who can refer you to the appropriate service.

Mental health support at your GP surgery

If you have a diagnosed mental illness or are having difficulties with your mental health and would like coping strategies to help, you can get support with your mental health from the Emotional Wellbeing Service, or similar service, at most GP surgeries. These services can provide you with information, advice, guidance and support.

Contact your GP surgery to find out what mental health support is available.

Experiencing a significant change in your mental health?

You should call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online for advice if you - or the person you are concerned about - experience a significant change in your mental health and are not already receiving care from mental health services.

This might include:

  • Hearing or seeing things that are not experienced by other people, for example hearing voices
  • Having strong beliefs that are not shared by others, for example believing there is a conspiracy against you
  • Having excessive energy or movements, sleeping very little
  • Behaving in a bizarre and out of character way
  • Changes in behaviour like wanting to avoid people, lack of basic self-care.

Whilst these can be normal experiences, they can also be signs of something more serious.

Worried about money, housing or another issue that is affecting your mental health?

There are lots of ways you can get practical help with issues that may be affecting your mental health. Our Cost of living support page is a great place to start.

Social Prescribing service at your GP surgery

Social Prescribers can connect you to support, services and activities to help address the challenges and issues you may be struggling with. Ask your GP or GP surgery if they have a Social Prescribing service. Waiting times differ between GP surgeries.

Local mental health support

The following mental health support services are available over the phone and online.

'Our Frontline'

  • ‘Our Frontline’ offers round-the-clock one-to-one support, by call or text, from trained volunteers, plus resources, tips and ideas to look after your mental health.
  • This initiative is a partnership between Shout, Samaritans, Mind, Hospice UK and The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Sussex Mental Health Line

  • Urgent crisis support
  • Support specific and in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Call 0300 5000 101 (for coronavirus support, press 1)

Samaritans

  • Phone support
  • Call 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply)
  • Call 116 123 (free from any phone)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

  • Free and confidential helpline and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems
  • Supports those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP)
  • Call 0800 585858 5pm-midnight
  • Webchat available 5pm-midnight

Preventing Suicide in Sussex

Richmond Fellowship

Mind

Rethink

  • Offers practical help on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits and carers rights.
  • Offers general help on living with mental illness
  • Call 0300 5000 927 9:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday
  • Webchat from 10am - 1pm

Shout

  • National text-based service run by trained volunteers
  • For support in a crisis
  • Text 'SHOUT’ to ‘85258’. A Texter will be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer

Young Minds Parents helpline

  • National helpline
  • Support for parents/carers of those up to the age of 25
  • Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 Mon- Fri 9.30-4pm

Anxiety UK

  • Online support groups and free webinars. Therapy cost at a reduced cost
  • Call 03444775774

Beat

  • Eating disorder charity
  • Phone and webchat and online support groups
  • Call 0808 801 0677 Monday to Friday 12-8pm

Papyrus (Prevention of Youth Suicide)

  • Support for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide
  • Call 0800 068 4141. Hours are 9am-10 pm during the week, 2pm-10pm Weekends and Bank holidays
  • Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Cruse Bereavement Care

  • Phone support
  • Call 0808 8081677 Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm excluding Bank Holidays. Extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 8pm

Sussex Oakleaf

Saneline (16 and over)

  • One to one phone support specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers
  • Call 0300 304 7000 or email support@sane.org.uk

Drug and alcohol wellbeing for West Sussex

  • A free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults aged 25+ (including offenders), families and affected others
  • The North team cover Horsham and Crawley
  • Visit the Change Grow Live website

Time to Talk

  • A team of trained psychological therapists who offer a range of talking therapies
  • Visit the Time to Talk website

Useful websites