Walsall residents are being encouraged to access services in the community to look after their mental wellbeing on  World Mental Health Day 

Local poet Ian Henery was commissioned to write a poem focusing on World Mental Health Day by Walsall`s MindKind Projects CIC.  

" MindKind  really do mind" said Ian Henery "about mental health in the workplace. About mental health in the community. About mental health in conversations.

They set up The MindKind Projects in 2019 to stand up for mental health in the workplace. To bridge the gap in support services. And to encourage people to be kind to themselves. 

We’ve seen people struggling at work without support or understanding. We’ve witnessed the ‘mask’ people wear to avoid seeking clinical help. And we’ve watched well-intentioned community groups fold without the right business acumen.

So they  decided to do something about it."

The MindKind Projects is a part lottery-funded CIC that was established three years ago to support the wellbeing of residents in and around Walsall.  They provide mental health support  through training, coaching, mentoring and user-controlled peer supported groups. Specialising in community based action research, they strive to ensure services are designed, co-produced and continuously reviewed to meet the needs of Walsall residents with respect to the mental health agenda.

MindKind have expertise in utilising person-centred Motivational Interviewing techniques in order to amplify and elevate the voice of citizens. This work has supported a portfolio of qualitative research evidence and case studies which have demonstrated a need for community based mental health services to partners, funders and investors. 

Through these activities, MindKind have delivered over £250k of investment into wellbeing activities in Walsall over the last 12 months. MindKind are working with the Resilient Communities programme and Walsall Together to deliver Community Based Action Research training. 

Recent NHS data shows that nearly 1.8 million people in England are waiting for mental health support. With 28% of Walsall residents reporting low mental wellbeing, the need for timely, inclusive and compassionate support has never been greater. 

This year’s theme on ‘Access to Services’ highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health, from everyday life to times of crisis and emergency.

Walsall is home to a wide range of community groups and services that champion mental wellbeing and provide vital support, supported by the Council’s mental wellbeing team in Public Health.

Mosaic, a local Walsall project provides inclusive sessions and support for neurodiverse children and families. Walsall Black Sisters Collective also support the community in providing signposting for vulnerable individuals and support for neurodiversity.

For 11–15-year-olds, a nine-week community mentoring programme ‘You Matter’ by Vision for All is being rolled out that will create a safe space for young people to talk about wellbeing and grow confidence to thrive in school and beyond. 

Other mental wellbeing activities in Walsall include those delivered by Bread for Life, Kaushalya, Mettaminds, Street Teams and The MindKind Projects CIC. 

“ Mental health matters every day. We’re committed to making sure residents access the support when they need it, at the right time. Whether it’s through community groups or in times of crisis, we want residents to know help is available and they’re not alone. Together, we’re building a borough where people live healthy and well and support is within reach. “

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council

Anyone who needs urgent support for their mental wellbeing can call 111 or visit NHS 111 online and select the mental health option (option 2). If you would prefer to text this service, contact 07860 025 281.

Face-to-face support outside of usual mental health service hours is available at the Walsall Sanctuary Hub: 1 Queen’s Parade, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 2EX (Monday – Friday 6 – 11pm; and Saturday and Sunday 12noon – 11pm).

Other support is available in Walsall and beyond:

• Walsall Bereavement Support Service (WBSS) offers counselling to adults and to bereaved children and young people. To find out more visit the WBSS website, call 01922 724841 or email admin@wbss.org.uk.
• Mustard Seed CIC provides community counselling for Walsall residents. Visit their website, call: 01156788915 or email: talkwithme@mustardseedcic.co.uk
• The Let’s Chat bus visits communities across Walsall. It provides support for a wide range of challenges, including financial concerns and debt, employment, housing challenges and fuel crisis. To find out more and see the bus timetable with locations visit Get support for your wellbeing | Walsall Council
• Walsall Talking Therapies supports residents aged 17 and over who are registered with a Walsall GP for help with depression and anxiety symptoms. To make a self-referral, visit the NHS Black Country Healthcare Foundation Trust website.
• You can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• The Refugee and Migrant Centre offers support for service users who have newly arrived in the borough to access help around resettlement, immigration, housing, employment and education and health and wellbeing.

For the latest NHS mental health dashboard, visit the NHS England website.

Walsall Council is part of the Walsall Together Partnership, working alongside the NHS and the voluntary and community sector to improve and deliver mental health and wellbeing support across Walsall. Further information can be found on the Walsall Together website. You can also visit the Walsall Wellbeing Directory | Walsall Council to find details of wider activities, organisations and services.