Do you ever feel like life is too much? Our friendly team at the Harbour is here to help.

Portsmouth resident Vicky has expressed how much the Harbour helped her when she needed it a few months ago.

Vicky explained: “I reached out to the Harbour when I was in a really dark place and finding it hard to find a reason to carry on living. I felt completely at a loss and alone.

“I reached out to the Harbour team more than once over the course of a few weeks. The people whom I spoke to at the Harbour were so understanding about how I was feeling, they listened and with my agreement, helped me to seek help from emergency services and made the call for me when I felt like I was unable to keep myself safe.”

The Harbour expanded its service to seven evenings-a-week this month, from the original launch of Friday to Saturday, to help more people like Vicky and be available every evening of the week.

Steve Jones, the Harbour Service Manager, said: “The Harbour’s move to seven-evenings-a-week (including Bank Holidays) is more important than ever before. We are giving people access to the support they need, when they need it, to get them through their self-defined crisis.”

As she looks to continue her journey of recovery, Vicky is encouraging other people who may feel like she did, to reach out: “I'm still not 100 per cent back to myself but I now have a little support and I'm doing much better.

“The advice I would give to anyone struggling or thinking of ending their life is please reach out for the support, I know it's so hard to do but you’re not alone. You may not feel like it now, but I promise there is so much to live for and it will get better. Just hang on in there and reach out.”

If you live in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant and East Hampshire; Please find more information on the Harbour here, in case you, or someone you know ever needs it: https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/the-harbour/

For an equivalent service for those living in Southampton, take a look at the Lighthouse: https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/the-lighthouse/

And for anyone else in need of support, give our Support Line a call, this is NOT a crisis service but our wellbeing experts will be able to advice you on other services available in your area: https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/supportline/