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Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance for us all to focus on simple, practical ways to support our mental wellbeing. This year’s theme is Action, and at Mid and North East Essex Mind we’re encouraging our community to take One Small Action that could make a positive difference – whether that’s starting a conversation, joining an activity, or reaching out for support.
We believe mental health support starts with people. Behind every service, training session and conversation is a real person who genuinely cares about the communities we support across Chelmsford, Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and the surrounding areas.
This week, we’re sharing our Meet the Team reels to introduce some of the people behind the work we do every day – because mental health care should always feel human, personal and connected to the community around us.
Watch the reels below and meet some of the brilliant team members supporting our community every day.
Free training sessions for our community
As part of the week, we’re running a series of fully funded Mental Health Toolkit sessions designed to give you simple, practical tools around sleep, stress, calm and wellbeing.
Online sessions
- 11 May – Sleep Well, Work Well
- 14 May – Keeping Calm
In person – 12 May
- The Essentials half day workshop at Lion Walk Church – for residents and businesses in Colchester (funded by Colchester City Councillors)
Get involved during the week!
Mental Health Awareness Week is all about taking action, and one of the simplest actions you can take is coming along, saying hello, and connecting with others in your community.
We’ll be out and about across Mid and North East Essex throughout the week and would love you to come and meet your local Mind.
- 14 May – Awareness stand at Braintree Village (Chapel Hill, Braintree CM77 8ZT) Come and meet us to find out more about our services, and how we can support to look after you mental health and wellbeing.
- 12 May – Free half day workshop from The Mental Health Toolkit for our Community in Colchester at Lion Walk Church (9:30am–1:00pm). Places have been pre-paid by Colchester County Council for people living or working in Colchester. Book your place here.
- 14 May – Walk, Talk & Wellbeing Morning at Chelmsford City Racecourse (9:45am–12:00pm, dogs welcome, no booking needed) Click here for more information.
- 17 May – Stampede 10k at Colchester Zoo. There is still time to sign up! We have a number of final charity places left. Click here to secure your spot.
Walking for Wellbeing groups
Join us for a free Walking for Wellbeing group at 11am:
Mon 11 May – Colchester
The North East Essex Sanctuary Colchester Hub
1–2 Coach House, Lewis Gardens, Colchester, CO1 1JH
(Entrance opposite Firstsite)
Wed 13 May – Clacton
The North East Essex Sanctuary Clacton Hub
No need to book – just turn up. If you’d like more information or have any questions, please call us on 01206 764 600.
Thank you to MarcusMovers for funding the Colchester walking group.
