Sanctuary for mental health support opens in Colchester
Mid and North East Essex Mind has opened a new sanctuary hub
A new sanctuary for mental health support has opened in Colchester's city centre.
Mid and North East Essex Mind has opened a new sanctuary hub at The Coach House, Lewis Gardens, to offer a safe space for people to access support.
In interview with Greatest Hits Radio Essex, Ginny Idehen, CEO of Mid and North East Essex Mind, said:
"It's really important that people have a place, a number, an e-mail, somewhere that they can contact if they're experiencing mental ill health or distress.
"The service is open 365 days of the year from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM and so we are open when often other services have closed for the day and we think it's really important that people have different options of people to talk to."
She also said:
"It's really important to have different ways that people can contact us because for some people who are experiencing mental ill health, they don't want to see someone face to face.
"Actually the more anonymous kind of phone call situation is better for them.
"But there are those that really need that interaction with another person, and so being able to offer a face to face welcoming space is really important as well."
North East Essex Sanctuary services are available here It is also reached by 0300 330 9492.
Sanctuaries across Essex can be reached with NHS 111 option 2.