Online mental health chat being piloted
October 10, 2024
A live online chat has launched on our website today (World Mental Health Day), meaning people in Portsmouth can get support for their mental health online, as well as over the phone.
The chat is hosted on the Mental Health in Portsmouth website and is available Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
The chat will be trialled for three months as part of the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub, which aims to be the first point of call for anyone struggling with their mental health. The Hub is based at St. Mary’s Community Health Campus and is staffed by mental health facilitators from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
People can call the Hub on 0300 123 6621 or talk to the team through the online chat.
Abigail Clarkson, Head of Access for Adult Mental Health, said:
“Introducing a chat function is an exciting addition to the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub, allowing us to speak to more people in different ways.
“We know not everyone likes speaking on the phone or might find it difficult to talk about their feelings – so we hope the introduction of an online chat will allow us to bridge this gap.
“Taking the first step to talk about your mental health can be daunting, but the team at the Hub are here to help.”
Mental health facilitators at the Hub are fully trained professionals who talk to residents about whatever’s on their mind. They’ll either help there and then, suggest mental health services that can offer support, or may connect residents to other services depending on their needs.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“The Portsmouth Mental Health Hub has been a fantastic addition to the city, providing much needed support to residents wanting support for their mental health but might not know where to go. I’m excited to see if the online chat is used, and whether people find it a welcome addition to the Hub.”
The Portsmouth Mental Health Hub was developed in partnership with people with lived experience of mental health and is delivered through Health and Care Portsmouth – a partnership between the council and NHS partners to join services in the city together. Anyone aged 16+ living in PO1-PO6 can contact the Hub. This can either be for themselves or someone they know.
Since the Hub launched in April 2023, the team have taken 5,862 phone calls. The Mental Health in Portsmouth website followed in December 2023 and has been visited by more than 8,000 people. In addition to the chat, the website has information about local services, self-help resources and conversations with people who’ve experienced mental health.
The online live chat will be reviewed in January 2025.
Portsmouth Mental Health Hub is available Monday to Friday and is not a crisis service. If you, or someone you know needs need mental health support immediately, please call NHS 111.
