According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 800,000 people take their own life every year.

Here in Lanarkshire there is a ‘Movement for Change’ to challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health.

An event was held earlier this year in Lanarkshire to bring partners together from a host of organisations to allow them to share resources and experiences to address this issue.

Kevin O’Neill, public mental health and wellbeing development manager and chair of the Lanarkshire Recovery Network, explained the thinking behind a ‘Growing a Movement for Change’.

He said: “We’ve done some fantastic work in Lanarkshire down the years in relation to mental health, but we deliberately choose the term ‘growing’ as we realise there’s much to build on and still much to do.

“For me, ‘Growing a Movement for Change’, is a natural title for this continuing work as it encompasses everything we’re trying to achieve.

“We want to create an environment where all of us recognise mental health, understand it, value it, know how to look after it and support others and knows what supports are available.

“Let’s be clear, stigma and discrimination stops people asking for help, hinders recovery and removes opportunity.

“Stigma hurts, support helps and we all have an important part to play.

“If not you, who? If not now, when?”