A mental health awareness fayre is due to be held in Colchester, at Culver Square shopping centre.

The event will be staged on Thursday, May 17, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from May 14 to 20.

The shopping centre has partnered with Mid and North East Essex Mind to create a day that provides free and confidential advice about the services available in the area.

The fayre will run from 10am to 5pm, with stands including Health in Mind, Open Road, Futures in Mind, Colchester Samaritans, Team 2gether and Heads Up.

All are welcome to find out about common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, and receive tips and information.

The centre is also providing a cuppa and chat drop-in session. An adult services manager, Sue, from Mind will be in the cafe at Debenhams to answer any questions about mental health support. between 10am and 2pm.

The Gym will be in the centre on May 14 and 16 from 10am-2pm, running demonstrations and sample classes, plus giving advice on fitness, nutrition and wellbeing.

Culver Square staff and retailers are showing their support by wearing green ribbons throughout the week.

David Robertson, centre manager, said “We are really pleased to have this opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and how they affect people. We hope that the events we are hosting will increase the community’s understanding of mental health issues and reduce the stigma around mental health.”

For more details, visit the centre’s website.