New mental health service to launch in Portsmouth offering drop-in slots and peer support

Set to launch in autumn this year, Positive Minds will offer a mix of booked and drop-in slots, combining both mental health professionals and ‘peer supporters’ – people with personal experience of living through periods of mental and emotional difficulties.

Dr Nick Moore, a Portsmouth GP and the mental health clinical lead for NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group said: ‘When we face distress in our lives, we need a place to turn. There are huge amounts of people who live through difficult times, and who might pay a price for that in terms of their mental and emotional health.

‘Positive Minds is a new type of health care service that can offer people a safe environment which will provide support before they reach a crisis point.

‘We know that a one-size-fits-all model doesn’t work. Positive Minds can offer professional help and support, where you are safe, heard, and able to take the first steps towards a more hopeful future. It’s also a place where you can meet others who have similar experiences and understand how you feel.’

The service is a partnership between Portsmouth CCG, Solent NHS Trust and Solent Mind and is intended to look and feel different to traditional NHS services whilst providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. 

It is also part of the wider ‘Health and Care Portsmouth’ programme which involves key NHS and social care services and organisations working much more closely together, to give city residents better, more joined up support than has been the case in the past.

Dr Moore added: ‘The local NHS, the city council, and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector are all signed up to working together to give people that flexible, open service.

‘There is work under way to improve other mental health services as well, but Positive Minds will be a fantastic new option for people, when it opens later this year.’