There are a number of services available to support you with your mental health and wellbeing across mid and south Essex. Whether you’re looking for talking therapies, practical courses, community support or telephone guidance, we have options to suit different needs and preferences.
Our services range from clinical treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy to educational programmes and wellbeing activities. Many allow you to refer yourself directly, whilst others work through healthcare professionals to ensure you get the right support at the right time.
Take a look at what’s available and find the service that feels right for you.
Get free, confidential support for common mental health difficulties like anxiety, depression and stress. Our NHS Talking Therapies service (formerly known as IAPT)offers evidence-based treatments that really work.
You can access cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling and guided self-help programmes. We’ll work with you to develop coping strategies, build resilience and improve your overall wellbeing.
Choose how you receive support – online, over the phone or face-to-face, depending on what works best for you. You can refer yourself directly or ask your GP or another healthcare professional to refer you.
Who can access this service: Anyone aged 18 and over. If you’re approaching 16 and already receiving support from specialist mental health services, we may be able to help as part of your care plan.
What happens when you refer yourself:
- Contact your local NHS talking therapies service.
- Someone from the service will get in touch, usually within a few weeks.
- They’ll ask for more details about the problems you’re having. This is known as an assessment.
- If the service thinks they can help you, they’ll recommend a therapy for you. This is based on your symptoms and how severe they are.
- Waiting times for the first session vary. The service will tell you what to expect.
To access your local talking therapy service, click the link below for your area.
Learn new skills and build confidence with our free Recovery College courses and workshops. We focus on education and self-management to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Our sessions help you develop practical skills and connect with others in your local community. All courses are designed and delivered together with people who have personal experience of mental health challenges and qualified professionals.
You’ll find courses running across Mid and South Essex, with more options becoming available throughout the year. A new website and course prospectus will be launched later in 2025.
Mid and South Essex Recovery College website
Get personalised support to help you find and access the right local services for your mental health needs. Our Mental Health Community Connectors work with you to create wellbeing plans and provide peer support.
We focus on social prescribing – connecting you with community activities, support groups and services that can improve your wellbeing. Our team works closely with local healthcare professionals to ensure you get joined-up care.
This is short-term support designed to help you become more confident in managing your own wellbeing and accessing services independently.
How to access: You’ll need a referral from a healthcare professional such as your GP, practice nurse or mental health worker. Self-referral isn’t available for this service.
Join our six-week wellbeing programmes designed to support your mental health through creative and physical activities. Our Healthy Mind Hubs offer yoga, creative arts, physical activity sessions and more.
These programmes focus on holistic wellbeing rather than clinical treatment. They’re perfect if you want to try new activities, meet like-minded people and develop healthy habits that support your mental health.
Our sessions are run by Trust Links and other local community and voluntary organisations across Mid and South Essex.
How to access: You can refer yourself directly or ask any healthcare professional to refer you. This includes GPs, practice nurses, social workers and many others.
Receive structured telephone support if you’ve been newly diagnosed with depression. Our Depression Wellbeing Calls provide 4-6 weeks of regular contact to help you adjust and plan your next steps.
We’ll call you within three working days of receiving your referral. During our calls, we’ll provide reassurance, help you set realistic goals and connect you with local services that can help.
This support works alongside any clinical treatment you’re receiving, such as medication or talking therapies. It’s designed to help you feel more confident about managing your depression.
How to access: Ask your GP or another healthcare professional to refer you to this service.