This year’s theme, “Access to Mental Health Services,” highlights the importance of making sure people can find the right help at the right time. The Trust is using the day to raise awareness of the wide range of local and national services available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Mental health is just as important as physical health and knowing where to turn can make a real difference. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, feeling low or facing a crisis, the right support at the right time can help them feel safe, understood and in control.
The Trust works closely with NHS partners, local authorities, and voluntary organisations to ensure mental health support is accessible and responsive to the needs of our communities.
One of the key tools available is the Life Card. Life Cards offer key support and signpost to key organisations offering advice and support for those struggling with their mental health or experiencing suicidal thoughts. These cards also provide guidance on how to help someone in distress. They are available digitally and or as a small card designed to fit discreetly into wallets, phone pouches and bags to ensure support is always close at hand. These are free to the public and NHS and voluntarily services and can be accessed via the Trusts website.
Beth Ford is autistic and experiences mental health challenges, she said:
“When I’m struggling or having suicidal thoughts, it’s hard to know where to go. The Life Card helps me find support quickly. I carry one in my wallet so I know I have help nearby when I need it most.”
The Trust’s Help in a Crisis page is easily accessible via a prominent crisis button on the homepage: www.
- NHS Talking Therapies: offering support for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and more. This service is available via self-referral or through a GP.
- Safe Havens and Lighthouse Services: Offering immediate, face-to-face, phone, text, email, text support in safe spaces during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
- NHS 111 Mental Health Triage Service: Call 111 or visit www.
111.nhs.uk and select the mental health option for urgent mental health support from trained mental health professionals. - Shout Text Service: Text “HANTS” to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 support from trained volunteers who will listen and offer guidance. This service is available to anyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who is struggling with their mental health and doesn't want their support to appear on their phone bill.
- Samaritans: Offers emotional support to anyone struggling to cope by providing a free, confidential, and non-judgmental listening service, available 24/7 via phone (116 123), email, and in person.
- Kooth: A free, anonymous online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 11–25. They offer counselling, self-help tools, and peer support.
- PAPYRUS: A UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
In a life-threatening emergency please dial 999.
Dr Victoria Laakkonen, Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health at Hampshire and Iske of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know it’s not always easy to ask for help, especially in a crisis. That’s why we’ve made it simpler for people to know where to turn. Whether it’s calling 111, speaking to a GP or texting for support, there are options for everyone. Mental health can affect anyone and knowing how to get help is vital. These services are free, confidential and there when people need them most.”
More information and access to all mental health services listed above are available at: www.
Case study
Since its launch in April 2023, the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub has helped more than 9,000 people aged 16 and over across the city and local neighbourhoods access mental health support and information in a variety of ways.
The hub started out as a phoneline, seeing fully trained call handlers listening so that they can either arrange for people to have an appointment with services such as Talking Therapies or PositiveMinds, or compassionately offer connecting people with local organisations including HIVE Portsmouth, social support or substance misuse organisations.
The dedicated website followed in December 2023, enabling and empowering people to access the information and resource webpages available. Visitors to the site can read about local services, see interviews with people who have experienced mental health, meet the Hub team, find out more about the emotions and feelings we all experience, and crucially, where to get support and advice.
Another incredible and unique aspect of the hub is the rollout of enhanced mental health access facilitators. Working within local primary care networks, the facilitators work closely with staff at GP practices, providing compassionate and personalised advice, guidance and support to patients, and connect people with relevant support available across Portsmouth.
In autumn 2024, the hub carried out a live chat pilot on the website which is now a permanent part of the hub’s offer. Live chat importantly offers a mental health support route to younger residents of Portsmouth, those who find it difficult to use the phone due to anxiety or other feelings, or those in the community who are hearing impaired or deaf.
The Portsmouth Mental Health Hub can help anyone aged 16+ living in or registered with a GP surgery in Portsmouth (PO1-PO6). If you are registered with a Portsmouth GP surgery but live outside of the catchment area, the Hub can still support you but connection with services in the city may vary.