Mental Health Awareness Week 2017

Helen Mayall's husband took his own life three years ago.

She explained to our reporter, Samantha Parker, on how she and their six-year-old son, Shaun, have found walking the fells as a way to cope.

Watch the report below:

A Cumbrian strongman is helping to provide strength for people in the county with mental health issues. Scott Squire has represented his country at powerlifting... but he's now training to become a full-time mental health nurse, as well as an ambassador for the charity MIND.

Scott says removing the stigma surrounding conditions like anxiety and depression could save lives.

Ryan Dollard caught up with him for our latest report as part of Mental Health Awareness Week:

• WATCH: Powerlifter selected for Great Britain team after shedding 11 stone

A spokesperson from the charity MIND, also explained more on what being a Time To Change champion entails:

The high pressure world of football is no exception when it comes to mental health issues.

Gazza, Stan Collymore and most recently Everton's Aaron Lennon have had high profile struggles.

As part of our series of reports for Mental Health Awareness Week, our reporter, Ryan Dollard, takes a look at the work Carlisle United are doing to provide support for the community:

ITV Border spoke to Richard Metcalf from Active Cumbria, the sport and activity partnership that is part of Cumbria County Council.

It aims to encourage more people to take part in sport and physical activity as a way coping with stress and anxiety.

Our presenter, Pam Royle, asked how having role models like footballer Aaron Lennon talking about the treatment they've received for mental health problems can encourage other people to talk and to seek help:

Health care staff at a unit in Carleton Clinic raised money to help their mental health patients engage in outdoor activities.

Bernadette Mallinson, who works as a healthcare assistant in the Acorn Unit, recently took part in a 50 mile challenge through the Lake District to help raise funds. On the last day of the challenge, the workers dressed up in halloween costumes.

She says it is part of her desire to help patients stay healthy in future.

Bernadette Mallinson and her supporters raised £600, which is being used to buy tables and benches for patients. She now hopes a community grant will help patients improve their diets.

The Acorn Unit 16-bed unit for men with complex mental health needs, where they receive rehabilitation.

Chief SuperIntendent Mark Pannone of Cumbria Police told ITV Border that the force has had to deal with 350-400 incidents a month, concerning people with mental health issues, so far this year.

He said this is 100 incidents more than this time last year.

He also said more resources are needed to help people with mental health issues.

Watch our presenter Ian Payne's interview with him below:

A woman from Carlisle has been speaking to Lookaround about the days leading up to her daughter taking her own life.

Dorothea Shaw says her daughter Kelly was refused care because health professionals thought she could cope on her own... she says it left Kelly with no-one to turn to when she needed help the most.

For one of our reports for Mental Health Awareness Week, our reporter Fiona Marley Paterson went to meet to Dorothea.

A University of Cumbria nursing student has won a national award in recognition of her work to reduce the stigma of mental health among young people.

Third year adult nursing student Zoe Butler was awarded the Andrew Parker Student Nurse Award at the Royal College of Nursing inspiration (RCNi) Awards 2017.

Zoe, from Kendal, was among winners at the event supported by Nursing Standard and sponsored by Guidelines for Nurses which was held at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London on Friday.

The awards recognise nurses who have come up with new ways to improve health, enhance patient experiences and transform nursing practice.

Zoe was instrumental in working with young people to write and film a series of monologues as part of a project called ‘The Hot Potato’ aimed at raising awareness of mental health. Now in use in schools and other organisations across Cumbria, a video is used to prompt discussions regarding mental illness.

A freedom of information request by ITV Border has revealed that the number of incidents with a mental health marker reported to police increased by nearly 30% between 2014 and 2016.

There were 9716 incidents reported overall:

• 01 January - 31 December 2014: 2845 incidents
• 01 January - 31 December 2015: 3198 incidents
• 01 January - 31 December 2016: 3673 incidents

Incidents with a mental health marker include situations where the person in question is considered to have a mental health issue.

A multi-agency crisis assessment service (MACAS) was formed in March 2017, bringing together police and mental health professionals to ensure people with mental health issues receive the support they require, rather than being put in a prison cell or sent to A&E.

Cumbria Police say the service is proving to be successful.