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We're excited to share this link containing recruitment information about a number of West Sussex opportunities including new Lived Experience Advisory Group roles.

There's also new Lived Experience Recovery Worker pilot roles, based in West Sussex inpatient settings, seeing CAPITAL working together with Sussex Partnership NHS Trust.

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Apply for any CAPITAL roles and learn about other opportunities at CAPITAL.

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Are you interested in mental health research? 

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Are you interested in mental health research? 

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There is a young peoples research group that meet regularly.

Please read the attached document for more information about it, including how to sign up using their online form.

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0300 and 0800 Sussex Mental Healthline numbers to be switched off 

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0300 and 0800 Sussex Mental Healthline numbers to be switched off 

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Since 2022, NHS 111 'select the mental health option' has been available in Sussex, offering a 24/7 telephone service to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

At present, this service can also be reached by calling legacy 0800 and 0300 Sussex Mental Healthline numbers. However, from July 2026, this service will only be accessible by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.

There is a misconception that NHS 111 'select the mental health option' and the Sussex Mental Healthline are two different services. By having a single number - and name - this will make it easier for people to know how to get help for their mental health.

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Sometimes what we see in the news and everything that’s going on in the world can feel really overwhelming. It’s normal to feel like this when you’re faced with difficult events. This guide has tips that can help.

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Worries about the news and the world | Mental Health

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What we see in the news and everything that’s going on in the world can feel really overwhelming. Our guide has tips to support your mental health.

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Our small, dedicated team is passionate about building a better alternative to the negative news media. And there's never been a greater urgency to our mission.

To invest in producing all the solutions journalism that the world is longing for, we need funding. We're asking readers like you to get behind us by making a regular or one-off contribution as a Positive News supporter. Please back our team today and, together, we'll change the news for good.

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Positive News | Good journalism about good things

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Positive News is the first media organisation in the world dedicated to quality, independent reporting about what's going right

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The Know Yourself series is a set of free resources which includes videos and downloadable guides aiming to support you and others like you to understand what being autistic means.

Find out more here

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The Know Yourself series offers free resources (videos, PDFs, worksheets) to support autistic teenagers in understanding what being autistic means to them.

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Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?

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Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?

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Let us know and we'll post them here!

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The difference that being female makes to the diagnosis, life and experiences of an autistic person is hugely significant. This book provides up-to-date content on masking and a new focus on trans and non-binary voices, as well as a deeper dive into health and wellbeing, invaluable!

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Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition

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The difference that being female makes to the diagnosis, life and experiences of an autistic person is hugely significant. In this widely expanded second edition, Sarah Hendrickx combines the latest research with personal stories from girls and women on the autism spectrum to present a picture of their feelings, though

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How to Stay Motivated in the Winter Months

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How to Stay Motivated in the Winter Months

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How to stay motivated in the winter months

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Our bloggers share their tips and advice for supporting your mental health during the colder and darker winter months.

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The fear of threat, or anxiety, is like a strong gust of wind. It drags you in and makes you want to fight it or run away.

Instead, face your fear with the Clear Fear app and learn to reduce the physical responses to threat as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions.

Anxiety is a natural response to fear, threat and apprehension. However, when anxiety is extreme or goes on for a long time, or the response to a threat is disproportionately large and affects a person negatively, it may become an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and respond very well to a form of treatment called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT.
When you face your fear, you will reduce the threat and glide.

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Clear Fear is the latest app from award-winning teenage mental health charity stem4.

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Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. It was developed by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause MBE, in collaboration with young people and uses principles from an evidence-based psychological treatment called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

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Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. It was developed by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause MBE, in collaboration with young people and uses principles from an evidence-based psychological treatment called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.

Learn to ride the wave with the Calm Harm app by choosing activities from these categories:
, , Express Yourself , , and .

There is also a breathing exercise to help you be mindful and stay in the moment, regulate difficult emotions, and reduce tension.

When you ride the wave, the urge to self-harm will fade.

The Calm Harm app provides some immediate activities and techniques to help you break the cycle of self-harm behaviour and explore underlying trigger factors; the app supports you in building a 'safety net' of helpful thoughts, behaviours, and access to supportive people, as well as providing the opportunity to journal and self-reflect. The Calm Harm app also signposts to help.

The app is private, anonymous, and safe.

Please note that the Calm Harm app is not a substitute for the assessment and individualised treatment by a health or mental health professional.

Our app is for young people over the age of 13.

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Calm Harm is a free app to help teenagers manage the urge to self-harm. Available on Google Play & App Store.

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Check out this fabulous piece of work developed through our Working Together Group - also known as the CAG (Clinical Academic Group)✨

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How I Cope with Intrusive Thoughts and Rumination

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How I Cope with Intrusive Thoughts and Rumination

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How I cope with intrusive thoughts and rumination

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Sashal shares her experience with intrusive thoughts and rumination, and offers practical tips for taking back control of your mind and finding peace.

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Your involvement in the NHS 10 Year Plan

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Your involvement in the NHS 10 Year Plan

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The Government's 10 Year Health Plan for England has been launched, setting out a new course for the NHS.

It sets out the 'three shifts' – from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.

It also describes plans to make the NHS the very best place to work and, to support the launch, the NHS Chief Executive has written an open letter to all NHS staff.

The plan has been shaped by you, members of the public, patients, partners and the health and care workforce across the country.

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Dear colleague

Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England

Today we are setting out a bold, ambitious and necessary new course for the NHS, with 'Fit for the Future', our 10 Year Health Plan for England.

Throughout our discussions over the last few months, we have heard time and time again from you about the importance of reviving real ambition for our NHS, making sure it will be there for generations to come.

We know from our many conversations with you as NHS staff, along with our wider health and social care workforce, that you are up for the challenge. You are the people driving innovation on the frontline and your fingerprints are all over some of the best ideas in the 10 Year Health Plan.

For too long, too many of you have suffered the frustration of turning up, working incredibly hard, only to leave at the end of the day feeling exhausted and demoralised by the conditions that patients are being treated in because of circumstances beyond your control.

This is a pivotal moment for our health service, and we need the whole team to be on board. In order to move forward, we will need to work together with decisiveness, energy and focus.

We can only do that by getting the foundations right. That means pushing forward with our current reset, prioritising financial discipline, delivering our commitments and keeping a relentless focus on preparing for winter this year. For our part, as we move into medium term planning, we will work quickly to align the centre and regions, so they work to support you better. Simplifying rules and accountability remain absolute priorities for the months ahead.

We know that many of you feel overwhelmed by bureaucracy and exasperated when you can't deliver the quality of care our patients need and deserve. We also know there is more work we need to do to support every member of our staff to fulfill their potential.

There is a whole generation of NHS staff who we know have never had the chance to work in the NHS when it's been working at its best. They have not had the experience of working in a system that delivers the highest possible care for patients, that meets its targets and has the space and time to innovate further. That is why a clear aim of this plan is to make the NHS the very best place to work - setting new standards for flexible, modern NHS employment, expanding training opportunities and reducing the burden of admin.

This is now our opportunity to deliver the care that patients deserve, and build a workplace where staff can thrive. It falls to our generation to rebuild our National Health Service to protect the provision of high-quality healthcare, not according to wealth, but according to need.

Through our three shifts - from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention - we will personalise care, give more power to patients, and ensure that the best of the NHS is available to all.

We have asked NHS leaders across the country to work closely with you over the summer to align all of these priorities and agree our collective delivery approach for Fit for the Future - focusing on those elements of the plan that will have the most immediate impact on our staff and patients, whilst looking ahead at the more medium and long-term changes we need to make.

The reason we know we can deliver the change set out in this 10 Year Health Plan is because it is built on the success of those who are already showing us what the future looks like. We have toured the length and breadth of the country and scouted the world for the best examples of innovation and reform, and we are going to seed them across the NHS together.

Delivering this plan will not be easy, but neither was the creation of the National Health Service.

Thank you for everything you do, each and every day, on behalf of our patients. You are the people who make the NHS so special and, through your commitment, compassion and creativity, we will take this plan and create an NHS that is truly fit for the future.

Yours sincerely

Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive Officer, NHS England

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NHS England " Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England - open letter to staff

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Dear colleague Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England Today we are setting out a bold, ambitious and necessary new course for the NHS, with 'Fit for the Future', our 10 Year Health Plan for England. Throughout our discussions over the last few months, we have heard time and time again from [...]

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A site created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of resources from across the internet that are available to help support mental health and well-being.

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Is this your domain?Connect it to your Wix website in just a few easy steps:

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Good Space supports creative, inclusive, meaningful volunteering opportunities in arts, heritage and sports organisations.

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Why we do what we do

We believe volunteering can be transformational for individuals and organisations. It enables people to connect with others, find purpose and wellbeing, and build skills and experience. We want people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy the benefits of volunteering, and we aim to tackle the barriers faced by people from disadvantaged backgrounds or with limited access to resources.

Organisations also benefit greatly from their volunteers' energy, enthusiasm and inspiration. We help our partners develop and deliver successful volunteer programmes that meet their needs and enable them to increase their impact. We aim to create a more inclusive and connected society, where everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential and positively contribute to their community.

We encourage applications from people who are Deaf and disabled and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible. This might include providing appropriate equipment or software, providing information in alternative formats, or providing opportunities to volunteer remotely.

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A unique platform supporting creative, inclusive and meaningful volunteering opportunities in arts, heritage, and sports organisations.

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Young peoples mental health and creativity project

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Young peoples mental health and creativity project

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Fancy being involved in a three-year research collaboration as a co-researcher?

These workshops are for young people who have experienced mental health challenges and would like to help to find gaps and understand the barriers for equal access.

Click above to find out more information!

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Future dates:

Friday 24th July 2026

Monday 24th August 2026

Thursday 24th September 2026

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Have your voice heard by joining the campaign for gender equality and girls rights!

See attached flyer for more information on monthly meetings that use art and social media to raise awareness!

For participating, earn a £15 voucher for in person meetings and £10 for online meetings!

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Interested in getting involved? We'd love to hear from you!

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Interested in getting involved? We'd love to hear from you!

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Melissa Innovation through Involvement Lead

Rivkah East Sussex

Larissa West Sussex

@our_mh_space

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Duty and Liaison: support during and after time in hospital

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Duty and Liaison: support during and after time in hospital

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We are looking for some young people who have experienced a stay in hospital due to their mental health. We are looking to review the content of a new support pack for children and young people. The pack is partially filled in with the support of a clinician whilst you are still in hospital and then completed with the support of a parent/carer once you are back at home.

You would need to be able to read through the pack and then attend an online meeting to share your views or to write your feedback in an email.

Please contact Rivkah for more details.

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Resources for people on waiting lists for Initial Assessments 

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Resources for people on waiting lists for Initial Assessments 

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We are developing a project to better support children, young people, and families while they wait for mental health services. In West Sussex, many young people face long waits before receiving their first mental health assessment, which can lead to worsened mental health outcomes. The aim of this project is to improve our 'Keep in Touch' communication to provide some support for those awaiting their Initial Assessment with CAMHS. This might include psychoeducation, mental health tips shared by EBEs, videos produced by a CAMHS practitioner, and signposts to additional support. We would like your expertise and input about what resources and support would be most helpful for someone at the start of their mental health journey.

If you'd like to be involved, please email Melissa.

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We have previously produced some great podcasts by EbEs for young people, which you can listen to here - Stream Sussex Partnership | Listen to CAMHS Participation Podcasts playlist online for free on SoundCloud! We are looking for a group of EbEs to be involved in creating some new ones - you can decide on the topics you think we need to cover! Please email Melissa if you are interested in being involved.

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We set up a café that would provide personalised work training programmes in an environment that provided day to day social interaction and business opportunities. And cake.

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What to Do when Friends and Family make you Anxious

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What to Do when Friends and Family make you Anxious

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Last year, I had a panic attack while I was with my family. I went up to the bathroom, did my breathing exercises, cooled my hands down with cold water and splashed my face to make myself aware that I was still there and I was okay. When I was feeling calmer, I went back downstairs and said to everyone that I just went to the bathroom and nobody questioned anything.

We all have moments like this sometimes, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about. But, sometimes it can be easier if you want to say, 'I just popped to the loo'.

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What to Do When Friends and Family Makes You Anxious

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It's the season for socialising and visiting friends and family, but what if this makes anxious? Luke gives some practical tips on how to cope.

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Young Minds: information about medication

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Young Minds: information about medication

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Information to help you know more about mental health medications

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If you are thinking about taking medication for your mental health, here is some general information which might help.

Please note this is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor for advice on your situation.

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Information About Mental Health Medication

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We have information on different mental health medications, including SSRI antidepressants, SNRI antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and more.

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Support for young people, parents, carers and professionals

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A journey towards positive body image and being comfortable

Support for young people, parents, carers and professionals

Improve eating behaviours and relationship with food

Build positive body image

Identify concerns around body image and disordered eating

...more content coming soon!

Explore our educational modules

Intuitive and balanced eating

Feeling comfortable in your body

Breaking free from diet culture

Managing anxiety around food

Understanding hunger

Support a young person with ARFID as well as very picky or fussy eaters

Understanding disordered eating

Recognising the signs and signals

Supporting emotional regulation

What is Disordered Eating?

Disordered Eating is a phrase used to describe a range of irregular eating behaviours that may or may not warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder.

People who experience disordered eating, whether diagnosed with an Eating Disorder or not, often have poor emotional awareness and have limited access to emotion regulation strategies.

Tell me more about this

What is Body Image?

We can't always see the extent of somebody's body image struggles. Body image is the way you:

Evaluate your appearance

Think and feel about the way your body looks and functions

Behave, treat and relate to your body

Tell me more about this

What is AFRID?

People with ARFID eat a very limited variety or amount of food and it causes problems in their lives. These problems may be health related, like loosing too much weight, or not getting enough nutrients.

These problems may also be social, like not being able to eat meals with others.

Tell me more about this

What is Normal Eating?

Normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your emotions, schedule, hunger and proximity to food.

Examples of 'normal' eating include being able to eat when you're hungry and continue eating until you are satisfied, overeating and undereating at times and giving yourself permission to eat all foods.

Tell me more about this

Search Resources

Search our library of resources curated by our clinical and specialism
professionals.

How to support family, friends
or patients

Uncover the path to a more positive relationship with food and your body with Be Body Positive. Your new go-to destination for information and resources on disordered eating and body image.

✓ Evidence-based coping strategies

✓ Stories and experiences

✓ Quizzes and games

✓ And so much more!

The content is designed by a team of experts specifically for young people and tested by young people. We provide the support and guidance you need to overcome challenges around eating, body image and self-care.

With resources for parents/carers as well as youth workers, teachers and health professionals, there is something new to learn for everyone.

Find out more

Stories

Hear from people in similar situations

Binge-Eating Disorder Recovery

Young Person from Bedfordshire

I remember being around eight to nine years old and beginning to develop binge eating disorder symptoms. It was at a challenging point in my life when my parents split up and then when I went to secondary school, things got worse as I had more control over what I was eating...

Follow This Story

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Designed as an early intervention, Be Body Positive promotes building a positive relationship with food and your body.

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Click here for a short video

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CAMHS Participation - Your Voice Matters

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Need help filling out your timesheet or claim?

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Need help filling out your timesheet or claim?

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We all do sometimes! Melissa, Larissa and Rivkah are all happy to help.

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Sexuality and mental health | Understanding Your Sexuality

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Sexuality and mental health – sexuality is the way you describe sexual, emotional and physical feelings or attractions you have towards another person.

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Welcome to Sussex CAMHS Participation! Have a look around and see what you think.

If you would like more information or a chat about how to get involved, we'd love to hear from you!

Please message one of us to get started!

Melissa

Larissa

Rivkah

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Participation is about involving people in decisions that affect them on an individual and public service level.

Local and national policies encourage and require Participation, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

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1. What is Participation?

2. Updates

3. Opportunities

4. Working Together Group - also known as the CAG!

5. Discover

6. Pay Dates

7. Contact Us

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Involving the person in decisions and actions about their care and treatment.

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Participation takes place in different ways, at different levels. Here are some of the ways you can get involved:

Expert by Experience training – free online training to identify and develop skills and knowledge.

Staff recruitment – being part of a panel to interview candidates for roles in CAMHS.

Podcast - research, content, production, presenting!

Clinical Academic Group (CAG) – scroll right!

Specialist focus or project groups e.g. co-produce a film or webinar to help train staff, develop digital resources

Attend team training days to share experiences, thoughts or insights with CAMHS - this really helps staff understand your perspective and use it within their practice.

Post your views into our local waiting area feedback boxes or complete online surveys - either anonymously or share your contact details if you'd like to share more!

Create or contribute to NHS materials, events and campaigns... Sign up to our fortnightly newsletter to receive info/opportunities straight to your mailbox!

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Involving people in the design and delivery of interventions and services which promote and support their health.

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AudioActive's schedule of Free Music Sessions for Young People in Sussex - AudioActive

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AudioActive is a non-profit organisation that creates social change through music and develops emerging talent.

Since forming in 1999, AudioActive has built a unique community in Brighton and across Sussex. Our team of musicians and music lovers restlessly develop artists and reach the sort of arch young talents that so often fall through the cracks.

Our Vision

Our vision is better futures through and for music.

Everything we do is free to access. Our drop-in sessions, workshops, shows and social initiatives exist to enable young people and emerging artists of all backgrounds to fulfil their potential.

OUR VISION

Our Impact

In 2019/20, AudioActive reached 1157 Young People with free music services.

We are proud to have played a part in the journey of many Sussex musicians, such as Rizzle Kicks, Celeste, SpectraSoul, Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, ArrDee and many more.

OUR IMPaCT

x

Get involved.

If you're looking to access our free music projects, then you're in the right place.

Get Involved

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Since forming in 1999, AudioActive has built a unique community in Brighton and across Sussex. Our team of musicians and music lovers restlessly develop artists and reach the sort of arch young talents that so often fall through the cracks. Our vision is better futures through and for music.

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What is it? We meet online every month for 2 hours to look at young people's mental health and wellbeing.

We share thoughts and ideas, look at research and how it can be applied, develop tools and resources, and think about ways to improve CAMHS.

Where? Via MS Teams. Email Larissa or Rivkah and they'll share the link.

Who? All of you are welcome! You are also paid for your time.

2026 dates to be confirmed.

If you'd like to find out more or are interested in attending Larissa or Rivkah would love to hear from you!