PEOPLE who want help with self-esteem, anxiety or stress among other issues can take the ‘First Steps’ next month in a new series of evening workshops at the Sandy Hill Bungalow in Upper Hale.

‘Emotion Gyms’, as they’re known, are run by emotional mental health service First Steps Surrey and offer residents a free and anonymous way of seeking help with day-to-day issues and problems.

The sessions have been running across Surrey for more than three years, proving popular wherever they go, and will run every Tuesday evening at The Bungalow from September 15 to October 20.

Attendance is anonymous and doesn’t require referral from a GP or anyone else. People attending are not asked for any details about them or their circumstances.

First Steps Surrey offers mental health workshops and training courses to help people with mental health issues across Surrey as well as working to raise awareness about issues and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.

In 2011’s ONS survey Attitudes to Mental Illness, more than three quarters of respondents agreed that ‘mental illness is an illness like any other’, yet 85 per cent also agreed with the statement that people with mental illness experience stigma.

Jemma Millman, specialist mental health adviser for First Steps, said: “Emotion Gyms are a really good way for people to find out a bit more about keeping emotionally healthy without the need for a GP referral or giving their personal details

“Research has shown that it’s really important for us all to get help when we might be feeling overwhelmed or stressed and it’s especially important for men.”

Sessions in Farnham will take place from 6.30pm to 8.30pm beginning with the topic ‘Coping with frustration and anger’ on Tuesday, September 15.

For more information on the sessions and subsequent topics, visit the website www.firststep-surrey.nhs.uk.