If you're feeling low or struggling to cope, you can text the word SUSSEX to 85258 for free, confidential support.
How can I get text-based support?
To start a conversation, text the word SUSSEX to 85258. You'll be connected to a trained volunteer who can help you with anything you're struggling with, including anxiety, stress or depression.
The volunteers will work with you to to help you reach a calmer place where you feel safe. You may be signposted to another service in Sussex if you need longer term support.
You can use this service any time of day or night, and messages won't appear on your phone bill. The service is delivered by the national text messaging service Shout. It is one of a range of services available in Sussex to support people with their mental health.
Who can use Text SUSSEX?
Anyone of any age, who lives in Sussex, can text the service for support.
How does the service work?
After texting the word SUSSEX to 85258, the texter will receive an automated text asking about the nature of their problem. This text will also explain that the texter will be connected to a trained Shout Volunteer. The aim is to respond to all texters within five minutes, but wait times may be longer during busy periods.
Once connected, the Shout Volunteer will introduce themselves. The texter and volunteer will communicate back and forth via text message, using Shout’s secure platform.
The Shout Volunteers use empathetic and effective active listening techniques, establish goals and discover next steps to help the texters to reach a calmer place.
Towards the end of the conversation, the Shout Volunteer can provide resources that provide further help and support for longer-term mental health experiences.
You can text the word SUSSEX to 85258 free and anonymously from all major UK networks. It is free and confidential to text the service from the following major networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. These include – BT Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, iD Mobile, Sky, Telecom Plus, Lebara, Smarty and GiffGaff.
If you are texting from a network listed above, and the service does not appear to be working for you, please reply with your mobile phone number and network provider at info@giveusashout.org.
Some Android phones, including the Samsung Galaxy handset, issue a warning that you will be charged for texting us. As long as you are on one of the networks listed here, this warning is incorrect and you will not be charged.
Please note - if you have been issued with the warning message and you have hit deny, you will not be able to send an SMS to our service as you have set a block setting on your Android device to prevent you from texting us. Read these instructions on the Shout website for help with changing your settings.
If you are texting from a network that is not on this list there is a possibility that you may be charged for the messages and that they may appear on your bill. This applies to a very small minority of operators. If your mobile network is not listed here, please check with your mobile network operator directly.
It is not possible to text the service from some networks, which do not provide the capability to message short codes. These include Lyca mobile and EcoTalk. This is because some networks do not provide the capability to message short codes. If your message will not send, or if you do not receive an automated message in response, it is an indicator that the service is not working on your network and you should reach out to your Mobile Network provider.
