Time to Talk day in Brighton and Hove: mental health support available in the city

Time to Talk day falls on Thursday, February 6, and is organised by the Time to Change campaign led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

Individuals and organisations nationwide are encouraged to speak openly about mental health on the day and in the future.

Brighton and Hove housing, care and support provider, Southdown, will be sharing short videos of local people’s experiences of mental health on its website as part of the campaign.

Martin Dominy, mental health recovery services at Southdown, said: “One in four people are directly affected by mental health challenges each year yet it still remains an issue that is misunderstood and not talked about.

“Through our experience as a provider of recovery services for over 5,700 people each year across Sussex, including Brighton and Hove, we see the huge difference talking about mental health can have.

“Not only for people with mental health challenges, as they realise they are not alone and can access support tailored to their needs, but also for their friends, families and colleagues as they can learn how to best support people affected.”

One story that will be shared by Southdown as part of Time to Talk day is that of Lee Rey, a Central Access Point (CAP) navigator at Southdown for Community Roots.

Community Roots is a network of non-clinical mental health services in Brighton and Hove with a freephone support number for people wanting to know what support is available.

“As a CAP Navigator, I assist people to understand what support is available for their specific needs and situation,” Lee said.

“It’s a personalised service that goes beyond an information and signposting service because we can do a lot of the leg-work for people. We can refer them to services, specifically our partners. That takes the pressure off the person on the other end of the phone.”

“I really enjoy listening to people, helping them feel heard, and showing them that they can be supported and feel like recovery is possible.

“I have personal experience of being in a mental health crisis and understand how it feels knowing you need mental health support and in that moment finding it extremely difficult to find services which you are eligible for, offer the right level of support, and are affordable.

“When I was in need, I needed something like the Central Access Point which helps people to navigate all of that information and access the relevant services and support.”

Mind Brighton and Hove has encouraged coffee shops in the city to display Time to Talk day posters and free mental health information on February 6.

More information and mental health support can be found at the Community Roots website or by calling Community Roots’ Freephone number 0808 196 1768.