East Sussex mental health directory

People in crisis and suicide prevention

Getting mental health support

If you or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis, the NHS 111 'mental health option' is there to offer support and get help if needed.

For callers whose first language is not English, a telephone interpreter can be arranged for other community languages, by phoning the helpline and letting them know the language needed.

  • Phone 111 and chose 'mental health' (free phone 24/7)

During busy periods, you may need to wait for someone to answer your call. If you would prefer not wait, you could use our free crisis support text messaging service instead:

Shout Sussex text service

By texting the word SUSSEX to 85258, you can access a free, confidential, 24/7 service and have a text conversation with a trained volunteer. The volunteers offer real-time support if you are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed. You may prefer this to speaking on the phone. 

For urgent mental health support

Call 999 or go to A&E if you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one.

Two East Sussex hospitals have an A&E department.

  • Conquest Hospital – The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD
  • Eastbourne District General Hospital – Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD

For those living on the edge of the county:

  • Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd, Brighton BN2 5BE
  • Princess Royal Hospital, Lewes Rd, Haywards Heath RH16 4EX

Please consider whether your GP, other support services or the NHS 111 Mental Health option can help, before travelling to A&E.

If you have a care plan and crisis card from Sussex Partnership mental health services, these will include details of who you should contact in a crisis. If you can’t find your care plan, contact your community team during the day – 9am to 5pm – from Monday to Friday. Ask for your care coordinator or the person on duty.

Contact the Samaritans

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, the Samaritans can offer help and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Staying Well crisis café for out-of-hours support

Staying Well provides a support service for people experiencing distress due to their mental health, during evenings and weekends when other support may be unavailable. 

The Hastings Staying Well is open 7 days a week, 4pm to 10.30pm on weekdays and 3pm to 10.30pm at weekends. Eastbourne has the same timings but currently does not open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

  • Phone 0800 023 6475 and choose option 1 for Eastbourne, or 2 for Hastings St Leonards
  • Website and online self-referral: Staying Well

Other suicide prevention services

Sussex Partnership NHS Trust Urgent Help Advice

Preventing suicide in Sussex

Advice for people who may be at risk of suicide and their friends and family, on warning signs and how to seek help.

‘Warning Signs’ is a suicide prevention campaign targeting East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, specifically aiming to support the reduction of annual suicide amongst men in Sussex.

Grassroots Suicide Prevention

Work with communities, organisations, services and individuals to help them to become ready, willing and able to effectively support someone at risk of suicide.

Available in Brighton & Hove with advice for all.

Mankind

Mankind was set up in 2020 by Eastbourne friends to help support men who have mental health worries, or just need someone to talk to without judgement. Weekly groups in Eastbourne and Heathfield.

Counselling partnership

Free to access, timely support for those who are currently at risk of taking their own life, or who have attempted suicide. Support is also offered to people bereaved by suicide.

RunningSpace

Based in Sidley Bexhill, but with other free running groups in Hastings Ore. RunningSpace promotes life and good mental health through small friendly groups. No running experience necessary, all faiths / no faith welcome.

National services

  • Papyrus suicide prevention service for under 35s offering free confidential support, a 24/7 helpline and practical advice
  • Zero Suicide Alliance is committed to suicide prevention and offers free training and resources.

If you have been affected by suicide

National Support

Public Health England and the Suicide Prevention Alliance have produced Help is at Hand for people bereaved by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death.

Suicide&Co supports people bereaved by suicide, with a helpline run by bereavement counsellors.

East Sussex Support for people bereaved by suicide

A service for people whose loved one has died as a result of suicide, offering practical and emotional support.

If you have been affected by witnessing a suicide

Firsthand is a new resource to support and advise people who are impacted by the suicide of someone they don't know.

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