Lifeline thrown to mentally ill

A campaign to help stamp out the stigma associated with mental health problems is being launched on Teesside.

One in four people in the North East have mental health problems and around 90% do not apply for jobs because of the stigma, the charity Mind said.

Now people in Middlesbrough are being urged to do a course to help them identify anyone with problems early.

The Mental Health First Aid campaign is being led by Mind and the national Time to Change campaign.

Middlesbrough-based mental health first aid senior trainer Sue Clarke said: "The 12-hour course provides a basic knowledge of the most common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, as well as crisis mental health first aid for people experiencing mental health difficulties.

"Its target is to change people's attitudes to mental health, stop stigma ruining lives and train people to help those who are experiencing mental health problems."