Today is World Mental Health Day and Oxfordshire Mind has organised events to mark the occasion.

Barracks Lane Community Garden in East Oxford has music, crafts, yoga and other activities, starting at 11am, while Dr Marcus Roberts, director of policy and research at Drugscope, will give a talk at 5.30pm at the Taylorian Institute, St Giles, Oxford, entitled Mental Health: The Last Taboo. Admission is free.

Oxfordshire Mind has a vibrant network of volunteers and staff and is affiliated to National Mind. Through 15 Community Resource Projects they provide safe environments for people suffering mental illness. These provide information, advice and support, and users can take part in activities and learn skills.

There are women-only services, groups for young people and black and minority ethnic outreach services.

In partnership with Oxfordshire Mental Health Matters, Mind runs the Oxfordshire Mental Health Information Service with its own dedicated telephone line — 01865 247788 — and a website www.omhi.org.uk The charity also runs three Oxford-based housing projects. These help residents’ recovery, supporting them to live as autonomously as possible before moving to other suitable accommodation.

Mind also runs a monthly Carers' Support Group where relatives, friends and carers can share experiences.

Successful therapygroups learn strategies for coping with depression and anxiety, building self-esteem and developing assertiveness. Users have found the groups of great value.

One said: “The anxiety management group was the first time anyone had taught me a way of coping with anxiety. I then felt I had methods to fight the overwhelming emotions.”

This year has seen the launch of two projects: Benefits for Better Mental Health and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.

Two dedicated advisers operate drop-in advice clinics, which are free and confidential, offering everything from help in filling in forms to representation at appeals.

Patrick Taylor, the director of Oxfordshire Mind, saidd: “As many as one in four of us in Oxfordshire will experience mental health problems at some time in our lives. Having a mental illness can be very tough, and stigma and prejudice compound the difficulties.

"Mind is committed to providing support to help people cope and sustain a sense of optimism. Having a mental illness is no-one’s fault; it’s not a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. Getting information is the first step to getting help, so it’s important to make that as easy as possible.”

If you would like to volunteer, help with fundraising or to find out more about Mind services, call 01865 263730 or visit www.oxfordshire-mind.org.uk To contribute to this column, contact Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action by email at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk