It's Time To Talk Day on Thursday 2nd February.
And Mid & North East Essex Mind, Colchester United and Workhorse Generation are encouraging U's supporters to start a conversation about mental health.
As well as Thursday being the designated Time To Talk day, there will be a host of activities taking place at the Colchester United Vs Barrow match on Saturday 4th February.
Look out for the Mid and North East Essex Mind team at the match, find out how to start a conversation with someone you are worried about over a half time cuppa and hear from vice-captain Luke Chambers about why it’s important to seek help.
We are pleased to offer all fans the opportunity to win a fantastic Hospitality package courtesy of Colchester United, by simply guessing how many balloons are in our Workhorse Generation branded car.
Talking and listening about mental health has the power to change lives. Each conversation we have contributes to reducing mental health stigma, helping to create supportive communities where we can talk openly about mental health and feel empowered to seek help when we need it.
James McQuiggan, CEO for Mid and North East Essex Mind said: "We are delighted to be working with Colchester United, who are an important part of our community, to raise awareness of our services in the area and encourage more people to reach out and ask for help."
"With one in four people in any one year experiencing some mental health issue, it is important for the club’s supporters to know we are here to support them."
Workhorse Group MD Simon Dickerson said: "Workhorse Group are delighted to be able to donate our Sponsor’s Box and advertising for Saturday’s game to Mid & North East Essex Mind."
"Although they are connected to the national charity Mind, they are a self-funded local charity who offer mental health services for our own local communities."
Simon added: "With Mid & North East Essex Mind being a supported charity of our own Charity Hub, Workhorse Generation, we hope that the additional exposure will not only help the charity but also help Colchester United fans."
"Mental health can be very difficult for some to discuss or address, especially men and young people. I hope that this initiative encourages any fans who need help or advice to call upon the skills and experience that the team at Mid & North East Essex Mind can offer.”
Ben Conway, the Partnerships & Hospitality Sales Manager at Colchester United added: "Time to Talk day and the associated activity at our home fixture against Barrow marks the start of an exciting relationship for all involved in this partnership."
"We hope that through this partnership, we can cultivate conversations amongst our fan base and put mental health at the forefront of what we do as a club.
"We are excited to be partnered with Mid & North East Essex Mind and look forward to developing this relationship and raising further awareness for mental health within the city of Colchester."
For more information about the organisations involved please visit mnessexmind.org, cu-fc.com and https://www.workhorsegeneration.org/.