Free health checks, meditation, walking and a cream tea are some of the events being held across Brentwood to support mental health locally.

The events are part of Mental Health Awareness Week, running from today until Sunday 22 May, where Brentwood Borough Council will be working with its partners to raise awareness of the support available for residents with issues such as anxiety, sleep deprivation, stress and loneliness.

They will highlight the importance of relationships and how fundamental they are to our health and wellbeing – the theme of this year’s national campaign.

Since signing up to the national Mental Health Challenge in 2014, the Council has been committed to promoting and supporting local mental health services, whilst taking residents' views into account when designing services and working with our mental health community.

Brentwood Borough Council's Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Lead Member for the Mental Health Challenge, Councillor Olivia Sanders, said: "Mental Health Awareness Week helps to highlight the support available locally for those in need.

"It is important residents know where to turn to if they feel they need some help.

"Throughout the week there will be a range of events in the Borough where residents can take part in activities or drop in for a chat.

"About one in six people experience some kind of mental health problem at any given time, and the most common issues are depression, stress and anxiety.

"As highlighted in this year's campaign theme, relationships do matter, helping us to live happier and longer lives with fewer physical and mental health problems, so it's important to nurture these relationships."

As part of Mental Awareness Week, there will be a number of activities, including:

Monday 16 May

  • Blue Flower Dementia Café, Brentwood Theatre. From 10.45am to 12.15pm. Allowing dementia carers to chat either alone or with their partners. No need to book, just turn up. Free entry, tea and coffee £1.

Tuesday 17 May

  • Dementia Education Workshop, Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road. 1pm, free. Open to members of the community who want to know more about living with dementia. For information or to register, please phone 01277 822858.

• Brentwood Mental Health Forum, Spread Eagle, 88 Queen's Road, Brentwood, 1pm-3pm. Free cream tea! Come and meet our Community Pharmacist and talk about your experiences of using mental health services. Call 0800 085 7935 or email pals@sept.nhs.uk for more information.

Wednesday 18 May

  • Fitness in Mind Walk, Brentwood Centre, 6pm. A free and friendly short walk, just turn up and meet at the main entrance. Call 01277 246057 or email fitnessinmind@brentwoodleisure.co.uk

• Mental Wellbeing Run with Thrift Green Trotters, Brentwood Centre, 6pm. Offering support from walking to running. There are limited spaces, so please sign up by contacting Karen Stephanou by emailing kstephanou@englandathletics.org or calling 077183 94335.

Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 May

  • Meditation for Mental Health, Brentwood Buddhist Centre, Merrymeade House, free. Sessions at 11am and 2pm on both days. Tea and coffee will be provided. There will be meditation trained volunteers to speak with on the day. Please book your place, 01277 212600

Friday 20 May

  • Meet the Services! 10am-4pm, Romford Market (outside the Clock Tower). Come along and learn about ways to improve your mental wellbeing and discover available services.

• Information event, outside Brentwood Community Print shop, Keys Shopping Centre, Warley, from 11am. Information on Brentwood Community Print and other local mental health services in the Brentwood Community Tree partnership. All enquiries to Cara White on 01277 849021 or email cara.white@brentwoodcommunityprint.org.uk

• Afternoon tea at Eagle Café, Keys Shopping Centre, Warley, from 2.15pm to 3.15pm. Pre-booked ticketed event with a suggested donation of £5. All enquiries to Cara White on 01277 849021 or cara.white@brentwoodcommunityprint.org.uk

• Colour Me In Café! Brentwood Theatre, 11am-2pm. Relax and unwind at the colouring café. Just drop in! For information, call 01277 200305.

Saturday 21 May

  • Children and Family Meditation Day (ages seven years +). Brentwood Buddhist Centre, Merrymeade House. Sessions run at 12pm, 1pm and 2.30pm. Please book your place, 01277 212600.