MENTAL health professionals have said it is vital that people continue talking to and supporting each other as lockdown eases.

This comes as part of Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System's Let's Keep Talking suicide prevention campaign.

The campaign involved encouraging people who have been furloughed, become unemployed or are coping with a drop in self-employed work to start a conversation with loved ones, or reach out to telephone counselling services to address any concerns, take practical steps, and get help with their mental health.

ICS Suicide prevention programme lead Louise Thomas said: "I cannot overstate how important it is for people to keep talking to one another as lockdown restrictions ease.

"This can be a very difficult time for a lot of people, who have already had a challenging 12 months.

"As restrictions are lifted it is more important than ever for people to reach out, by talking on the phone or by video message to others, we can share the load.

"There is always someone to talk to, and there are many organisations out there ready to offer a listening ear.”

People under stress or afflicted with other mental health issues have also been encouraged to talk with friends and family members, helplines and debt support services.

Ms Thomas says that it is more important than ever for people to reach out to local and national services and to each other for help as they battle the effects of the pandemic.

In particularly health and care workers and those who have taken an active role in supporting communities through the effects and challenges of the pandemic over the past 12 months are being encouraged to reach out.

Lancashire and South Cumbria ICS says that it has information, details about support organisations and links to other sources to help support people's mental health, or those who are worried about the mental health of someone else online.

To find out more, go to: https://healthierlsc.co.uk/MentalHealthSupport.