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 in 2026.
This service is run by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Provide Community and Trust Links.
Recovery College for people living in mid Essex
Recovery College for people living in South East Essex
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.
This service is for all residents in mid and south Essex. It is run by Thurrock and Brentwood Mind.
Join our six-week wellbeing programmes designed to support your mental health through therapeutic, creative and physical activity workshops. Our Healthy Mind Hubs offer peer support and positive activities based on the five ways to wellbeing; Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Give.
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 Healthy Mind Hubs are run by Trust Links 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.
Visit the Trust Links website to find out more about our Health Mind Hubs
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.
This service is for all residents in mid and south Essex. It is run by Thurrock and Brentwood Mind.
Visit the Thurrock and Brentwood Mind website to find out more about the Depression and Wellbeing service.
The Trust Links Wellbeing App is a free, easy-to-use digital tool designed to support your mental health and wellbeing. Whether you’re an unpaid carer, a member of our community, or simply looking to improve your emotional resilience, the app offers a safe space to reflect, learn, and grow.
With daily wellbeing check-ins, journaling features, and access to a rich library of self-help resources, the app helps you track your progress and build healthy habits. It also enables our team to better support you by capturing meaningful outcome data and tailoring services to your needs.
Join in taking small steps toward a healthier, more connected life, right from your phone.
How to access: Search ‘Trust Links Wellbeing App’ wherever you normally download apps on your smartphone.