Digital wellbeing service offered in Brighton, Hove and East Sussex

Mental health service provider Southdown has chosen personalised digital mental wellbeing service Qwell to support adults as part of the UOK partnership.

UOK is a partnership of 19 community services working together to support good mental health and wellbeing in Brighton, Hove and East Sussex.

From 9 December 2024, adult residents have been able to receive free, anonymous, and personalised digital wellbeing support from Qwell, without waiting lists or eligibility thresholds.

Funded by NHS Sussex, Brighton and Hove City Council, and East Sussex County Council, Qwell has been selected for its alignment with the Sussex Transforming Community Mental Health Services programme, which focuses on ensuring that people are able to access appropriate wellbeing support.

Neil Blanchard, chief executive at Southdown, said: “Investing in Qwell aligns with our commitment to support and promote good mental wellbeing for all; this includes offering people a choice of support that meets their needs.

“Qwell’s integration capabilities and unique out-of-hours provision make it a valuable addition to the UOK partnership, NHS services, as well as the wider mental health network of services across Brighton and Hove and East Sussex.”

The app, provided by Kooth, aims to provide an additional easy-access online tool that is complementary to existing specialist mental health support services and pathways provided by the NHS, neighbourhood mental health teams, and the voluntary sector.

People accessing the UOK website and Qwell will be directed to the appropriate intervention to meet their individual needs.

Dr Lynne Green, chief clinical officer at Kooth, said: “Despite increased awareness of the importance of seeking mental health support, many adults don’t find it easy to ask for help.

“This is where digital mental wellbeing services that are accessible at a mere click (or tap) of a button, are an invaluable part of the ecosystem of support.

“Qwell ensures that people have access to anonymous, safe and effective mental health care and support around the clock.

“Being selected by Southdown as part of the UOK Partnership will help to ensure that the right help is available to adults in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex at the right time.

“No matter how big or small the issue, our team of experienced practitioners and professional counsellors are here to help.

The Qwell online service includes supportive information resources on topics such as parenting, relationships, and neurodiversity.

It also features self-guided activities such as journaling, mood tracking, and goal setting; peer-to-peer forums; supportive messaging with mental health practitioners, and professional live text chat support.

Meanwhile, research by NICE, published in September 2024, which compared digital technologies to face-to-face therapy, concluded that the use of recommended digital therapies for mental health conditions could free up thousands of NHS therapists’ hours.