Mid and North East Essex Mind

24/06/2026

Benefact Group Community Special Draw is now open for nominations for charities who support their community with 20 charities having the chance to receive £5000!!

Please help us with a chance to win which could help fund vital mental health services in our community. To give you and example of how £5000 would make a difference, this could fund over 80 free counselling sessions!

As a financially independent local charity we are reliant on fundraising and donations to continue our work.

We would appreciate if you can spend a couple of minutes nominating Mid and North East Essex Mind using the link below.

The draw is only open for 14 days and entries close on Sunday 5th July.

Thank you, we are very grateful for your support 💙

We could receive a £5,000 donation with your help through the Movement for Good Draw.

23/06/2026

☀️ A gentle reminder during the warmer weather.

Some mental health medication, including some antidepressants and antipsychotics, can make it harder for your body to regulate temperature in the heat.

This does not mean you should stop taking your medication. Please don’t stop or change your dose without speaking to your GP, pharmacist or mental health team.

Try to drink plenty of water, stay cool, avoid direct sun where you can, and check in on anyone who may be more vulnerable during hot weather.

If you feel dizzy, confused, sick, very tired or unwell in the heat, move somewhere cooler, drink water and seek advice if needed.

Please share so others can stay safe 💙

22/06/2026

Are you struggling with low mood, feeling anxious or stressed? Tend, a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) programme, goes beyond relaxation, helping you break free from negative thinking.
Tend VR is available now at Mid and North East Essex Mind.

Course Details
⏰Eight weekly 45 minute VR sessions at a time that suits you
📱You’ll also receive free access to Tend’s mobile app, offering short mindfulness practices
⚡No GP referral, no waiting list
💙Support from our Mind staff throughout the course

What is Tend and how could it help me?
- Using a virtual reality headset, Tend immerses you in a soothing virtual world, helping you break free from the thoughts that lead to low mood and anxiety.
- You’ll gain practical mindfulness techniques to help you manage negative thoughts and feelings of anxiety.
- Tend’s course is highly interactive and engaging - but without the pressure of talking to someone else.

Interested?
- You can start with a free introductory session to get familiar with VR, and see if this is right for you
- Continuing the course costs just £25 per session, with each weekly session taking place at the Mid and North East Essex Mind Colchester office at a time that best suits you.
- You can find out more by clicking the link in our bio, visiting mnessexmind.org/tend-vr, or contacting us.

Gain practical tools for your mental wellbeing with Tend at Mid and North East Essex Mind.

21/06/2026

Less than one week to go until the make a smile lottery Summer Super Draw taking place this Friday 26th June.☀️

There is still time for you to get your tickets and be in with the chance to win the GUARANTEED £5,000!

There MUST be a winner, will it be YOU?

By playing Make A Smile Lottery you are supporting the work of Mid & North East Essex Mind in your local community, thank you💙

Get your tickets now for £1 per play : - https://bit.ly/4dtlePx

20/06/2026

Take on the St Helena Hospice Harwich Half Marathon 2026 for Mental Health

Run for Mental Health – Join Team Mid and North East Essex Mind and run the Harwich Half Marathon on 4th October 2026.

When you take part, you’re not just signing up for a one-of-a-kind race — you’re standing up for mental health in Mid and North East Essex.

Why Run for Mid and North East Essex Mind?

By joining our team, you’ll be helping to support people in your local community who are struggling with their mental health. Every step you take helps us continue delivering essential mental health services across Mid and North East Essex.

As part of Team Mid and North East Essex Mind, you’ll receive:

- A Mid and North East Essex Mind running vest to wear on the big day
- One-to-one support from our friendly fundraising team
- A full fundraising pack and support to help you reach your target

To register now for one of our limited places please visit https://mnessexmind.org/p/harwich-half-marathon/ or feel free to contact [email protected] or call us on (01206) 764600

19/06/2026

Su***de can affect people in every community and workplace. In England, 5,717 su***des were registered in 2024, and around three in four were men.

Locally, 168 people ended their lives by su***de across Greater Essex in 2023.

Would your team recognise the signs that someone may be in crisis, and feel confident responding if a conversation turned to suicidal thoughts?

As an employer, do you want to know how you and your colleagues can spot the signs that a colleague may be having suicidal thoughts and how to support them?

Mid and North East Essex Mind are pleased to offer new Su***de Awareness workshops for organisations and the communities of Mid and North East Essex. This course is designed to help you have potentially life-saving conversations and provide practical tools to help stay calm, respond with confidence, and know what to say (and what not to say) when someone may be at risk. It looks at warning signs, and how to hold a supportive and boundaried conversation, whilst connecting the person to the right kind of help – without taking on the role of a therapist or clinician.

During this workshop, participants will:

Discuss warning signs to look out for, even when the person may not be engaged with mental health services or specifically have spoken about su***de

Learned appropriate language to use when talking about su***de

Explore strategies for self-care both during and after conversations about su***de.

To find out more and to book a space on one of our fully funded workshops please visit https://mnessexmind.org/su***de-awareness/

18/06/2026

We are seeking an enthusiastic Community & Events Fundraiser to drive income, build relationships and deliver impactful events supporting mental health in Essex.

As our Community & Events Fundraiser, you will play a key role in developing and delivering an engaging programme of fundraising activities. Working closely with the Head of Income Generation & Engagement, you will help grow income, strengthen supporter relationships and ensure events are delivered to a high standard.

This is a varied, fast-paced role offering the opportunity to make a real difference to mental health support in the local community.
About you:
We’re looking for a motivated and organised individual who thrives on building relationships and delivering results.
You will ideally have:
• Experience in fundraising, events, sales or a target-driven environment
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences
• Proven ability to manage projects or events from planning through to delivery
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work at pace
• Confidence in building partnerships and representing an organisation externally
• IT literacy, including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems

A passion for supporting mental health and a creative, proactive approach will help you succeed in this role.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, collaborating with our communities and partners to drive innovation and better decision-making. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to try to ensure we better represent our communities.

Join us in creating an environment where everyone feels supported, respected, and valued. Let’s build a community that thrives on inclusivity and mutual respect.

For more details and to apply please visit https://app.hbhr.io/job-application/external/5e8505c9-703718d9-ac3cc480-e81eefac

17/06/2026

This week is Men's Health Week, an internationally recognised awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the health challenges faced by men and boys.

The campaign encourages men to pay attention to their health, seek medical advice when needed, and make positive lifestyle changes, while also challenging the stigma around discussing mental health.

Su***de is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, and men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues. Men’s Health Week promotes open conversations, stress management, and access to psychological support.

At Mid and North East Essex Mind we provide a range of services open to men in our communities. For more details of our services please visit.mnessexmind.org or for a chat with one of our team to find out more on how we can support you or the man in your life do give us a call on (01206)764600 or e mail [email protected]

16/06/2026

Make a Smile Lottery Summer Super Draw is taking place Friday 26 June 2026.

Your £5,000 summer starts right here! ☀️

What better way to kick of the summer, than by WINNING BIG?

£5,000 MUST BE WON in make a smile lottery’s Summer Super Draw!

Take a chance and get your tickets now by clicking the link here: https://bit.ly/4dtlePx

Tell us in the comments what you would do with £5,000! 👇

By playing the Super Draw, you are making more of a difference to Mid and North East Essex Mind and our mental health services and support directly in your local community.

This is one of only two Super Draws each year with a guaranteed prize of £5,000 up for grabs so grab your ticket today!

15/06/2026

If you’re looking for more choice and flexibility, private counselling might be right for you. Sessions are one-to-one with our BACP accredited service. Saturday morning appointments (9am–12pm)are now available too.

Counselling gives you a safe space to talk, reflect, and find ways to manage how you’re feeling. It can help with anxiety, low mood, relationships, or anything that’s making life harder right now.

Support is available short or long term, depending on your needs.

Our Counselling Service is for anyone aged 18 and over and appointments can be arranged to see one of our counsellors without too much of a delay.

For more information visit our private counselling page at https://mnessexmind.org/get-support/help-for-adults/counselling/private-counselling/ or call our friendly team on (01206)764600( Monday - Friday 09.00- 17.00) or e mail us at [email protected]