About the service
The Lighthouse is an informal, non-judgemental, out-of-hours mental health service for anyone over the age of 18 who requires short-term support with their mental health.
The Lighthouse has two locations in Southampton, Shirley and Bitterne. You can access the service by texting “Lighthouse" to 07451276010. The team will then respond and offer text support, telephone support or face to face.
Alternatively you can drop-in to either venue between the hours of 4:30pm and 10:30pm. Please note, face to face support ends at 11:00pm.
The service runs from 4.30pm to 11.30pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is open to anyone over the age of 18 who lives within the local area of Shirley or Bitterne and feels they are at crisis point with their mental health.
What we do
The Lighthouse offers a safe space for those in mental health crisis to get support. The team is made up of people who have lived experience of mental health challenges and using services, people who hold a professional registration, and people who fall across both categories.
The Lighthouse is unable to work with people who:
- need medical attention
- have been drinking alcohol or using drugs
- behave in a threatening or physically aggressive manner.
- are under 18
Accessing the service
If you are aged 18 or over, live in Southampton and feel like you're in mental health crisis or emotional distress, you can access our virtual support service. Access the service by texting ‘Lighthouse’ 07451 276010 between 4.30pm and 11.30pm. Our staff will then contact you via telephone, email, webchat or text.
How to find us
For the Lighthouse Shirley: 147 Shirley Road, Options Wellbeing, The Annexe, Southampton, SO15 3FH
It is within walking distance of Southampton Central Train Station and various local bus routes.
There is very limited parking in the streets around the site.
For the Lighthouse Bitterne: 432 Bitterne Road, Bitterne Village, Southampton, SO18 5RT
It is a 20 minute walk from Bitterne Train Station and a 5 minute walk from the Bitterne Libary or Bitterne Shops stop.
The nearest car park is the Peartree Gardens Car Park and West End Road Car Park.
Contact information
Access the service by texting ‘Lighthouse’ to the Solent Mind text line number 07451 276010 between 4.30pm and 11.30pm. Please note, face to face support ends at 11:00pm.