Mental health event in Haywards Heath a 'huge success'

A mental health event organised by Sussex Oakleaf and partners took place yesterday (Thursday, February 6).
Dominic Goodeve, marketing and communications officer for Sussex OakleafDominic Goodeve, marketing and communications officer for Sussex Oakleaf
Dominic Goodeve, marketing and communications officer for Sussex Oakleaf

'With You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental Health' was a free, all day public event to celebrate local mental health organisation Sussex Oakleaf's 25th birthday and for members of the public to find out about the various services available to support people with their mental health.

The event was organised by Sussex Oakleaf, Mid Sussex District Council, Together in Sussex, Avtrade and Clarion Futures, and was held at Clair Hall.

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Some of the organisations in attendance included The Yews Community Partnership, Aspire Sussex, and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

With You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental HealthWith You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental Health
With You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental Health

There were also organisations for children such as YES - Youth Emotional Support, Be OK - Youth Mental Health Support and Fegans - Counselling Children, Supporting Parents.

Dominic Goodeve, marketing and communications officer for Sussex Oakleaf, said: “Sussex Oakleaf and partners would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who visited, joined in with or helped to organise yesterday’s With You In Mind event at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath.

"The day was a huge success with more than 500 people coming through the doors. Our welcome desk was overwhelmed with positive feedback from people as they left the venue with smiles on their faces, full belly’s and wads of information on local services and support."

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Workshops and activities ran throughout the day, all designed to be bite-sized, and visitors were encouraged to take part in as much or as little as they liked.

With You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental HealthWith You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental Health
With You In Mind: 25 Years of Better Mental Health

Topics included coping with anxiety, a stripped down version of a popular Sussex Oakleaf course delivered through Sussex Recovery College; an introduction to healthy slow cooking with a focus on planning meals around work; and spotting and training the black dog, looking at some of the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in yourself and others, how to talk to people about it and ways to manage depression.

One person at the event told the Middy the talks were 'incredibly helpful', and another said they hoped the events would continue so they could learn more about how to recognise mental health problems in other people and how to support them.

The event also saw the return of Sussex Oakleaf's award-winning The Big Mental Health Pop Up as an art exhibition and café, with breakfast, lunch and high tea menus throughout the day.

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Mr Goodeve told the Middy that some of the feedback said that events of this kind are 'great to have', because resources and organisations are all in one place.

They told Mr Goodeve: "I enjoyed the art exhibition, and the fact that you offered workshops/talks on different themes.

"Sussex Oakleaf should be proud of themselves for organising such a great event, especially those involved in planning and creating the day.”

The Big Mental Health Pop Up started in May 2019 when Sussex Oakleaf took over an empty shop in Burgess Hill and turned it into a pop up art exhibition, going on to win the Stronger Communities award at the Mid Sussex Applauds Awards, and was shortlisted for a Community Heroes award from BBC Sussex.

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Mr Goodeve said: "It was great to be able to reflect on the positive impact that Sussex Oakleaf has had on local mental health since our formation 25 years ago and to explore as a community where the next 25 years may take us.

"With one in four of us likely to experience a mental health issue this year, this event proved that by coming together as a community we can help to create better mental health in Sussex for all.”

To see more, look at our photo gallery here.