This morning Rebecca met with the fantastic TIME - The men’s support group for mental health concerns in the rain at Benfleet Station to see them off for their 24K fundraising walk to the end of Southend Pier and back.

They meet on Tuesday nights at Benfleet Methodist Church on Benfleet High Road between 7:00PM-9:00PM and it’s open to any man who wants a chat.

You can find out more details about the group and how to donate to support their word via their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/T.I.M.E.groupformen 

We all know that men sometimes find it difficult to open up about their mental health. TIME are a support group for men in Castle Point who just want a safe non-judgemental space to talk about their everyday challenges and what support they feel they need to overcome them. This is an especially important issue, with mental health charity Calm Mind reporting that suicide is now the leading cause of death in men under 50, with loneliness being a major contributing factor to low mood.

If you are instead seeking a peer-support counselling group (free of charge) you can attend another great nearby initiative, the Thundersley Men's Shed, a community project supporting men to develop friendships and widen their social circle. There are also local Andy Man's Club groups running in Southend and Basildon! 

If in urgent need of support, please contact Samaritans on 116 123.