It is a helpline any resident in the London borough of Sutton may ring if they experience emotional distress.
Trained Intentional Peer Support Workers will take the calls every weekend from 8 pm until 11.30 pm.
Sutton Hopeline was set up as Sutton Mental Health Foundation identified through testimonials from people with experience of emotional distress or mental ill health that weekend evenings are a difficult time to get through for many and that, often, they find themselves with no other option than to go to A&E and face the possibility to be taken on Ward 3 in Springfield Hospital, a long way from home.
Apart from South West London and Saint Georges crisis line, a line reserved to people who are already receiving care from them, there is no other local line for Sutton residents who experience distress.
Too often, people who struggle during out of hours times do not know where to turn to.
Sutton Hopeline is offering an alternative to the Samaritans and Accidents and Emergencies services. It in no case replaces them or offers a similar service, but it complements it and widens the choice for our local residents.
Our Intentional Peer Support workers, who all work and support people either in Springfield Hospital on the Acute Psychiatric Ward, or in the community, all have a direct experience of emotional distress and the support they already provide to local residents is invaluable.
Our experience has proven that in many cases, being listened to, heard, treated with respect and kindness, as an equal, prevents crisis and prevents admissions or re-admissions on an Acute Psychiatric Ward.
Sutton Hopeline: 0208 150 8872