A powerful film showing how adults can be supported with their mental health during a crisis has been published by NHS Kent and Medway.
It highlights the story of Vincent, one of thousands of people who accessed the service to get vital support with his mental health.
He said: “Given the way my life went over the last year and a half, if this wasn’t here, I don’t know where I would be.
“This is the place to come to if you want your problems to stop and you want to start addressing them and turn your life around.
“I struggle to think where I would be without the help of Safe Havens.”
Safe Havens can help people struggling with a range of difficulties that can cause distress, including loneliness and isolation, financial worries, and relationship issues and work closely with other support services to get people the right help.
Run by Mental Health Matters, the service offers support to adults in crisis or heading towards a crisis. People can access one-to-one emotional support as well as help to create staying well and crisis plans. Safe Havens offers a walk-in service and no referral or appointment is required.
Community-based Safe Havens are available from 6 to 11pm in eight towns (Ashford, Ramsgate, Folkestone, Canterbury, Gillingham, Dartford, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells) with a further two 24-hour Safe Havens in Medway and Thanet.
Dr Kate Langford, chief medical and outcomes officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “We introduced the Safe Havens in response to feedback from people with lived experience of mental health services. The service is designed to help people stay well and prevent a mental health crisis escalating.
“Since the service launched in June 2024, it has supported 17,589 people across Kent and Medway.”
To find out more and watch the video, visit www.kmhealthandcare.uk/safe-havens