LOCAL mental health charity, Mind in West Essex, held a fundraising quiz night at St. Stephen’s Church on Saturday 1st February to celebrate Time to Talk Day, raising around £640 from generous donations on the night.

Time to Talk Day is a national initiative aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health and encouraging conversations between loved ones, colleagues and strangers on the topic. The idea is that through talking to each other, mutual support, acceptance and recognition is encouraged.

The quiz, hosted by Ian Beckett, was a great success, bringing together different groups from the town including Harlow Running Club, Herts & Essex Community Farm and Harlow Rock School who all attended on the night to compete for the top prize.

If anyone is in need of mental health support, as well as contacting their GP, the public can pop into the Wellbeing Centre at Bush Fair for an informal chat with any of the staff there, or to pick up some literature on a particular topic.

If in crisis, please contact A&E, the Crisis Team or the Samaritans on 116 123.

Mind in West Essex supports people affected by mental ill health to make positive changes in their lives and to improve their emotional resilience. Mind in West Essex is affiliated to national charity Mind in a network of around 140 other local Mind charities.

www.mindinwestessex.org.uk

www.facebook.com/mindinwestessex