Drugs, alcohol and sexual health advice

On this page you'll find our 'staying safer' guides where we offer useful tips on staying safe if you are using drugs and alcohol or if you're sexually active. We explain the laws around drugs, sex and young people.

There's also a list of other services that provide support and advice around drugs and sexual health.

Staying safer guides

Advice from young people

It can be helpful to hear from other young people about their experiences.

In this video Rapper, Phonetic, talks about alcohol and mental health from her perspective for Alcohol Awareness Week 2020.

Services to go to for help

There are a wide range of support services in Brighton. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on this list, you can visit Where to go for and search for what you’d like help with. 

GP (doctor)

If you’re ever worried about something to do with your body, you should visit your GP. If you don’t currently have a GP you can find a surgery (or a dentist) to register with.

Young Oasis 

A variety of services supporting infants, children, young people affected by substance misuse in the family, like a therapy service for 5 to 18 year olds and a young women’s therapy service for 18 to 25 year olds.

  • Find out more about Young Oasis
  • Phone: 01273 696 970

SHAC – Sexual Health and Contraception Services

  • Find out more about SHAC
  • Phone: 01273 523 388 

Survivors network

Provides lots of different types of support to survivors of sexual violence. The counselling is for young people of any gender up to the age of 18, and for self-identifying women survivors aged 19 and over.

Allsorts youth project

Support for children and young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. 

BMEYPP – Black and Minority Ethnic Young People’s Project

The children and young people's wellbeing service

The hub for all mental health referrals for young people in Brighton & Hove, including CAMHS and online counselling. Referrals through website or by phone.

Youth Advice Service (YAC)

Drop-in Service for young people including Housing Advice, Family Mediation, Youth Employability Service and General Support and Advice.

  • Find out more about the Youth Advice Service                       
  • Phone: 01273 624 432

Young People's Centre (YPC)

Services and support for young people. A café, counselling, activities and  a supportive range of information, advice and guidance.

Childline

Phone applications

Some useful apps you can download or your smart phone or tablet:

  • 'Calm harm' for self-harm
  • 'Mindshift' for anxiety
  • 'SAM' for anxiety
  • 'Stay alive' for suicidal thoughts
  • 'Headspace' for meditation made simple 
  • 'For me' – Childline in your pocket

Other websites