A specialist phone line and drop-in centres have been set up to offer people mental health help during the pandemic.

The 'safe havens' are in Canterbury, Folkestone, Medway, Maidstone and Thanet but will not be open for face-to-face support until it is deemed safe.

Until then, people over the age of 16 living in Kent can contact the organisation for telephone support. You do not need to be referred to the service.

The scheme is being funded by the recently established Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group.

A spokesman for the organisation, which is in charge of funding health services, said: "The safe havens were due to open to the public in April as places people could walk-in and seek support with mental health issues in the evening when other services are closed.

"With current restrictions this has not been possible, but the phone support is an important new service available to local people.

"As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic grows, getting mental health support will be increasingly important so the providers have changed the service, so telephone advice is available to all residents of the county over the age of 16."

In Canterbury, Medway, Maidstone and Thanet the safe havens are run by Mental Health Matters.

The Folkestone facility is run by Hestia and in addition to the CCG is funded by a consortium of Kent-based trusts, including the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.

In Canterbury, Medway, Maidstone and Thanet the phone lines are open from 6pm to 11pm, 365 days a year.

Visit, www.mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-havens to find out the number for your area.

In Folkestone, people can call 0808 1963 569 between Monday and Friday at 6pm to 11pm and at between noon and 11pm at weekends and bank holidays. Visit www.hestia.org/folkestone-and-hythe-district for more details.

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