Paul Golder writes for the Brentwood Gazette

Mental health problems affect so many people in our community, but even though the amount of awareness is now increasing, there are still some great initiatives which more people should be aware of.

So we were delighted to welcome in Debbie George and Sulekha Takhtar from Thurrock and Brentwood Mind who talked on Stewart Pink’s Drive show about two such initiatives.

Debbie and Sulekha talked about the Thurrock Crisis Sanctuary, which offers intensive, short-term support to help people manage a mental health crisis in a residential setting, rather than in a hospital.

They also talked about the new NHS 111 option 2, which many people may not be aware of. It’s a new 24-hour crisis mental health phone line which has launched across Essex. It offers immediate and specialist support to adults experiencing a mental health crisis – anyone in need can dial 111 at any time and select option 2 to talk to trained staff who can provide timely and appropriate support and advice.

To find out more about Mind visit www.thurrockandbrentwoodmind.org.uk and you can hear their interview again at www.phoenixfm.com.

** We’ve got some great guests lined up on air over the next seven days. Jonathan Gibbon from Billericay Litter Pick will be talking on One 2 Three on Wednesday about the group’s next litter pick, and on Thursday we have former West Indies test cricketer Ian Bishop chatting on 98 Not Out.

** The Very Revd Nicholas Henshall, Dean of Chelmsford, will be talking to Patrick Sherring on Friday about the National Day of Reflection, and crime writer Linda Calvey will be joining Nigel Fitzmaurice on Sunday.