Mental Health Matters Launches Additional Safe Havens in Kent and Medway
Thursday 11 July, 2024 – Mental Health Matters has announced the official launch of additional Safe Havens in Kent and Medway, providing crucial access to mental health support for adults in crisis.
These Safe Havens offer walk-in emotional, social, and practical mental health support, seven days a week, with no need for an appointment. This initiative aims to fill a gap in mental health services and provide support for individuals struggling with a range of difficulties that can cause distress, including loneliness and isolation, financial worries, and relationship issues.
Over the past year, Mental Health Matters’ Safe Havens in Kent and Medway have helped more than 1800 people from four locations. This success has led to further investment via NHS Kent and Medway’s Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme, resulting in the establishment of Safe Havens on nine sites across Kent and Medway.
Community-based Safe Havens are now available 6pm to 11pm in seven towns – Ramsgate, Folkestone, Canterbury, Gillingham, Dartford, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Wells – with a further two 24/7 Safe Havens in Medway and Thanet. This expansion will provide crucial support to a wider population, helping to prevent mental health crises and improve access to care for those in need.
Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, stated, “We consistently hear from people with lived experience of mental health services that they prefer to have community-based support to stay well and prevent a crisis escalating. 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.”
The Safe Havens work closely with other support services to get people the right help, providing a holistic approach to mental health care. Peter, a resident who accessed support from the site in Thanet, shared his 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, bringing together over 50 people from across NHS, emergency services, and community organizations. Similar events are planned at each of the nine Safe Havens to educate the public about their location and the support they offer.
To find your local Kent and Medway Safe Haven site, please visit mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-haven. For more information about other mental health services and support available in the area, please visit the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub.
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