TODAY marks the 17th annual World Mental Health Day.

Started by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, each year thousands of people unite on October 10 to promote greater public awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illness and raise funds for mental health causes.

This year health bodies in East Lancashire are concentrating on removing the stigma of mental health conditions and letting everybody know they do not have to suffer alone.

One in four people experience problems such as depression, anxiety and stress, with 27 per cent of people in the Blackburn with Darwen borough suffering from mild to moderate emotional wellbeing issues in any given year.

Because of this, NHS Blackburn with Darwen’s provider services unit, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s health chiefs have joined forces to develop a service called Mindcare.

The scheme, a response to the Government initiative ‘Time for Change’, was launched at Ewood Park.

Mindcare provides a team of dedicated, trained professionals who offer a confidential, personalised service. Victims of serious crime are one example of people who can suffer emotional wellbeing issues.

Lady X was left struggling to cope with the psychological effects of a mugging four years ago in Blackburn.

She constantly saw images of her attacker, didn’t feel able to walk her dog in the evenings and became suspicious of people in general, including at work.

She said: “They were controlling me. I was unable to get on with my life.”

Martin Howe, Mindcare project manager, said Mindcare helped Lady X turn her life around.

He said: “She experienced these symptoms over four years. When she first went to her GP she was prescribed anti-depressants because our service wasn’t in place.

“But when she visited her GP this year she was referred to us and over eight sessions we sat her down, talked over the issues and discussed strategies to help her rebuild her confidence.”

Lady X said she now feels more relaxed, is calm going out for a family meal, when previously she would have been nervous and wanted to go home and has restarted swimming at her nearby pool.

Mr Howe said: “Wellbeing issues can affect us all for all sorts of reasons.

“In the recession people are worrying about money or losing their jobs and these things can have a massive impact on your life, leading you to suffer from anxiety and depression. But the help is there in your community if you visit your GP.”

Mindcare is open to people aged between 16 and 64. Contact your GP for details.