THOSE with mental Health issues are often some of the most vulnerable people in society.

They often have no physical signs of their condition, and society is always ready to stigmatise those who most need our help.

Despite mental health problems affecting many people at one time of their lives, the fight for better services often fails to receive much support.

Therefore, it is perhaps not surprising the recent closure of drop-in services at two mental health centres in north Essex initially prompted little public reaction.

The walk-in facilities at Oak House, in Maldon Road, Colchester, and Dorson House in Orwell Road, Clacton, were replaced with “bridge builders”, staff who offer one-on-one sessions.

Mental health organisations in the area gained funding for the community-based service.

They say the drop-in service was more likely to promote the social exclusion and stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses.

Colchester Mind, which ran the Oak House drop-in centre in Colchester, will run the “bridge builders” facility.

Health experts said the new service would offer patients a more personalised and “goal-focused” support, with less discrimination and stigma. However, a campaign to reinstate drop-in services is now gathering pace, with a petition being signed.

Wendy Gavin, who successfully battled to save mental health services at Clacton District Hospital’s Peter Bruff ward two years ago, has taken up the fight at Dorson House.

Ms Gavin says individual sup-port workers will not bridge the gap left by the closure of the walk-in centres.

She says the new service will only be able to reach a fraction of those needing support with mental health issues.

She claims only two “bridge builders” have been assigned to cover each area – Clacton, Colchester and Harwich.

Each will deal with about 25 patients at any one time and they will offer support for an average of six months. Ms Gavin says this is not nearly enough.

She said: “Dorson House used to deal with about 60 people a day. There will be a serious shortfall.

“I am starting to be questioned on the street again. There are a lot of people wanting to know what we are going to do.”

“I hope the petition will convince health bosses to change their minds.”

Within days of launching the campaign, Ms Gavin collected almost 300 signatures.

Mia Scammell, an advocate for Colchester Mind and former co-ordinator, also says day centres are “central to recovery”.

She said staff at Oak House are honouring their commitments and are saddened by the closure.

They have lobbied Colchester MP Bob Russell over the matter.

She said: “Day centres are truly lifelines for those suffering long-term mental health problems.

“They are central to recovery, so why shut them down?

“The Mind centre in Colchester has been replaced by new, politically-driven day services.

“The anti-stigmatisation campaign is welcomed throughout the mental health field. But the drive to close day centres has left many fearful for the cost in human terms.

“That is, more people back in hospital, which the NHS doesn’t want.

“Basically, day centres have long been catching those who have fallen or been shoved down the cracks of a system that is far from perfect, especially where care in the community is concerned.