Mental Health Matters has recently announced the launch of additional Safe Havens in Kent and Medway, providing critical mental health support for adults in crisis. These Safe Havens offer walk-in emotional, social, and practical assistance, available seven days a week without the need for an appointment.
Over the past year, Mental Health Matters’ Safe Havens in Kent and Medway have assisted over 1800 individuals from four locations. Thanks to funding from NHS Kent and Medway’s Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme, the organization has been able to establish Safe Havens on nine sites across the region.
The community-based Safe Havens are available from 6pm to 11pm in seven towns, including Ramsgate, Folkestone, Canterbury, Gillingham, Dartford, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Wells. In addition, there are two 24/7 Safe Havens in Medway and Thanet. This expansion of Safe Havens has been made possible by the consistent feedback from individuals with lived experience of mental health services, who have expressed a preference for community-based support to prevent a crisis from escalating.
According to Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, “We are pleased now to have more Safe Havens across Kent and Medway, as we continue to work towards transforming and improving mental health care for all.” These Safe Havens provide much-needed support for individuals struggling with a range of difficulties, including loneliness, financial worries, and relationship issues. They work closely with other support services to ensure that individuals receive the right help for their specific needs.
Peter, a resident who has accessed support from the Safe Haven in Thanet, shared his positive experience, saying, “I’ve been going to the Safe Haven for three years now. The team has been my emotional support when I’m really anxious. They listen to me and have helped me come to terms with how I am feeling. Not once have they let me down.”
To raise awareness of the new Safe Havens and the support they offer, a launch event was held in Maidstone on July 11. Over 50 people from various organizations, including NHS, emergency services, and community organizations, attended the event. Additionally, events are planned at each of the nine Safe Haven sites to inform local residents about their locations and the support they offer.
To find your local Kent and Medway Safe Haven site, please visit mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-haven. For information about other mental health services and support available to local people, please visit the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub. Pressat.co.uk is distributing this news on behalf of Mental Health Matters.
