About
West Sussex Mind is an independent local mental health charity, providing mental health support and advice, delivering training to individuals, organisations and businesses, and campaigning to increase understanding about mental health and reduce stigma. We’ve been supporting the people of West Sussex with their mental health for over 50 years through services that primarily cover the county’s coastal and rural communities. West Sussex is home to a diverse range of communities and includes some of the most affluent – and most deprived – areas in the UK. This diversity brings a range of mental health needs, experiences and challenges when it comes to people getting the support they need and deserve. Data from the Public West Sussex Mental Health Needs Assessment 2024 tells us that: • One in six people living in West Sussex has a common mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression • Anxiety levels have risen over the past five years and 24% of adults in West Sussex self-report high anxiety • Mental ill health is rising in West Sussex. In 2022-23, there were 9,050 people with severe mental illness on GP registers, which is a 5% increase on the previous year • There are increasing referrals to children and young people’s mental health support services and demand for support is greater than the current capacity. We also know that several factors in the communities we serve continue to impact people’s mental wellbeing. • There is clear evidence that people living in poverty or experiencing financial stress are more likely to develop mental health problems and this has been reflected in the experiences of people who use our services. Local data tells us that 3.3% of people in West Sussex live in the most deprived areas in England for income (this rises to 9.3% in Adur) – with 8.2% of West Sussex residents living in fuel poverty. • West Sussex has an older population compared with the rest of England – with 22.8% of residents being 65 or older (rising to 26% in coastal areas). It is well known that mental health, as well as physical health, tends to be poorer in older age – with Age UK reporting that nearly half of adults over 55 have experienced depression or anxiety at some point in their lives. Demand for our own services is rising. In 2023-24, we supported 6,323 people, more than ever before, and new referrals via our Help Point phone line increased by 10% to 3,469. Against this backdrop of rising need and a greater complexity of people’s needs, our new strategy responds to these challenges through our priorities to: • fight for investment in preventative services • address health inequalities and multiple disadvantage • increase our reach with under represented groups who may need our help the most and may face barriers when accessing mental health support. We also know that we have to meet these challenges within the constraints of a difficult funding landscape and cuts in some of our contracts.