People experiencing a mental health crisis in Sussex now have access to immediate support outside normal hours, seven days a week, thanks to the NHS Staying Well service.
Staying Well provides a safe space for adults aged 18 and over who need urgent mental health help, offering an alternative to hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments.
Leanne Nagle, who lives with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, now works as a peer support worker for Staying Well after receiving help from the service herself.
“I learned a lot about myself and the reasons behind my mental health issues,” she said. “Then I wanted to give back.”
Ms Nagle meets many neurodivergent people at the service. She encourages them to see their differences as strengths rather than limitations.
The NHS says the service is available to anyone experiencing a self-defined mental health crisis. This includes feeling unable to cope, worrying that you might hurt yourself or someone else, or having suicidal thoughts.
Every month, more than 1,000 people in Sussex visit A&E for urgent mental health support, highlighting the need for alternative services.
Lucinda Wentworth, a registered mental health nurse and clinician at Staying Well, described the service as “vital.”
“People can drop in without waiting for long appointments or sitting in crowded hospital waiting rooms,” she said. “We offer a friendly, person-centred service and focus on each individual’s needs on the day. That’s the heart of what we do.”
Staying Well centres are located in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings, and Worthing. They are open from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM on weekdays and 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM on weekends, including during Christmas and New Year. No appointment or professional referral is needed.
Visitors are supported by recovery workers, mental health practitioners, and peer support workers with lived experience. Services include emotional support, coping strategies, and safety planning.
NHS Sussex reported that over the past three months, more than 2,000 people used Staying Well services—a 122% increase compared with the same period in 2023, when 900 people attended. Many of these visitors may have otherwise gone to A&E.
Staying Well is delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with local voluntary and community organisations.
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