Introduced in early 2024, Mental Health Together has been designed to improve the way people with more complex mental health needs are supported in the community. It provides faster, more personalised care from a single source, ensuring people do not have to engage with multiple organisations for different parts of their support.
The service launched in Thanet in January 2024. Following successful testing, we have expanded Mental Health Together across Kent and Medway, with services now available in:
This once in a generation project is transforming how we support people with complex mental health needs in Kent and Medway. Our staff are working with voluntary organisations to provide care that covers all aspects of mental health.
You do not need to worry about navigating multiple services anymore - Mental Health Together has been designed so you get the right help at the right time and only have to tell your story once.
Over 18: Anyone experiencing an urgent mental health crisis can phone 111 and select the option for mental health, when prompted, to speak to a specially-trained mental health practitioner.
Under 18: Phone the 24-hour Single Point of Access on 0800 011 3474 (select option one, then option three).
Find other mental health support options on our Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub.
Mental Health Together is available to people with more complex and long-term mental health needs. If you think this might apply to you (or someone you know), the first step is to meet with your GP. They will work with you to determine which mental health services are best suited for your needs, whether that's Mental Health Together or other support available in the community.
If referred, our team will review what the GP has said and, if needed, schedule an initial meeting to discuss how you are feeling and what kind of support might help. After this, we will work with you to create a plan that focuses on your mental health and any other areas of your life where you may need support, such as financial or housing.
We are committed to developing Mental Health Together to provide the best possible care for you. In the future, we hope to offer even more flexible options, such as access to self-help guidance and online mental health and wellness courses, so people can access support more easily and at their own pace.
Your GP can refer you to Mental Health Together if they think this service is right for you. Other mental health providers can also refer you, such as Live Well Kent and Medway, Porchlight, Shaw Trust, Kent and Medway universities, substance misuse services, local authorities and NHS Talking Therapies.
If during your time with Mental Health Together, or the referral process, it is identified that you need more complex or intensive care, you can be referred to Mental Health Together+ which offers more specialised support for those with the most complex needs. Not everyone will need this extra step and your care plan will be tailored to your specific needs.
Mental Health Together is the new name for Community Mental Health Services in Kent and Medway. If you are receiving this support, you may see a 'Mental Health Together' logo on letters you receive about your mental health care.
If you currently receive support from one of our community mental health teams, including our older adults teams, please be assured that they will not change any of your care without speaking to you and agreeing it first. More answers to questions you may have can be found here: FAQs for existing patients of mental health services: Kent & Medway ICS
This transformation programme has lived experience expertise at its heart.
If you have experience of mental health services in Kent and Medway and would like to share your views on what is or isn't working in the current system, as well as how you think it could be improved, our Lived Experience team would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Email the Lived Experience team