CASSS is holding its AGM on Thursday 24 September at Leigh Community Centre, with members of the public and local agencies invited to attend. OACS is also recruiting student and experienced counsellors, while the South East Essex Trauma Alliance is offering a research opportunity focused on the mental health of 16–25-year-olds in Southend and Tendring.

Other updates include:

• A new HTQ Humanistic Counselling qualification from University Centre South Essex starting in September 2027, with funding and maintenance loan options available.
• A Spotting and Responding to ADHD in the Therapy Room workshop on 28 November 2026.
• A six-day Couples Counsellor training course from ReKindle Relationship Counselling beginning in January 2027.
• Free funded Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid training through Trust Links during September and October.
• Upcoming awareness dates including World Mental Health Day, OCD Awareness Week, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, National Stress Awareness Day and Anti-Bullying Week.
• National mental health stories covering children attending A&E in crisis, new walk-in mental health centres, PTSD support for intensive care patients, stress management and a new sports mental health toolkit.
• Future CASSS network meetings taking place online on 28 September and 30 November at 4pm.

Read the full issue