Staying Well Brighton & Hove is launching a six-week online group programme to help adults explore ways to manage difficult emotions, build coping skills and feel more able to reach out for support.

Provided by Southdown in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Staying Well offers out-of-hours support for adults experiencing mental distress, feeling unable to cope or going through a mental health crisis. The new groups will focus on recovery and wellbeing, supporting people who are not currently in crisis to develop skills they can use in everyday life.

Programme details

The programme begins on Thursday 12 November and runs weekly until Thursday 17 December 2026.
Each session will explore a different topic through practical activities, reflection and discussion, with no pressure to share personal experiences.

What will the sessions cover?

• 12 November: Grounding and getting through the moment
  Explore techniques to bring your attention back to the present when things feel overwhelming.
• 19 November: Understanding emotions and distress
  Recognise how emotions show up in your body, thoughts and actions, and notice early signs of distress.
• 26 November: Coping strategies that actually work
  Reflect on your current coping strategies and explore approaches to build your own coping toolkit.
• 3 December: Thoughts, worry and self-talk
  Recognise unhelpful thinking patterns and explore kinder, more balanced ways to respond to yourself.
• 10 December: Connection, support and reaching out
  Identify your support network and explore what can help when asking for support feels difficult.
• 17 December: Staying safe and moving forward
  Explore personal safety planning, recognise warning signs and identify manageable next steps.

How to join

The groups are for adults aged 18 and over who are not currently experiencing a mental health crisis and feel able to take part in recovery-focused sessions.
Sessions take place online through Attend Anywhere. The waiting room opens at 5pm on each session date.

There are up to eight places per session, allocated on a first come, first served basis. The team will admit the first eight people from the waiting room.
You can choose which sessions you would like to attend, without committing to all six weeks.

Join the Staying Well online waiting room on the session dates at 5pm using the link below.
Join the Staying Well online waiting room.

If you have questions about taking part or would like to discuss support you may need to join, contact the team by emailing on stayingwell.brighton@southdown.org

Plans for future groups

Brighton is piloting the programme initially, with plans to introduce similar groups in Eastbourne and Hastings at a later date. Further details will be shared when available.

Staying Well support throughout the week

Alongside the online programme, Staying Well Brighton & Hove offers a supportive space for adults who are experiencing mental distress or need help during a mental health crisis. You can talk with the team about how you are feeling, receive support to manage distress, or spend time in a quieter space.
The service is open seven days a week, 365 days a year:
• Monday to Friday: 5pm to 10.30pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 3pm to 10.30pm

You can walk in during opening hours without an appointment.
Find us: The Wellbeing Hub at Preston Park, 18 Preston Park Avenue, Brighton, BN1 6HL
Call: 0800 023 6475, choosing option 3 for Brighton
Email: stayingwell.brighton@southdown.org

Find out more about Staying Well Brighton & Hove.