‘It’s ok to talk,’ is the message from Scunthorpe’s mental health staff as North Lincolnshire gears up to mark World Mental Health Day.

This year World Mental Health Day, which takes place on October 10, focuses on suicide prevention.

Staff from local health trust, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) and North Lincolnshire Healthwatch will be holding an event at the Ironstone Centre, West Street, Scunthorpe, between 10am and 2pm where residents are welcome to call in for a cuppa and a chat.

There will be representatives from the Network café,  the Healthy Lifestyle Team and Mind on hand to chat to over a cuppa. Visitors can share their comments about mental health support in North Lincolnshire with Healthwatch and find out more about the help and support available locally. There will be a Dementia Friends session but anyone wanting to attend this needs to book a place by calling 01724 282190 as there are limited places.

Dr Gary Armstrong, Clinical Lead for Mental Health at NHS North Lincolnshire CCG, said: “This Mental Health Day we want to send a clear message to the people of North Lincolnshire that it’s okay to talk.

“It’s incredibly important that we all encourage our family, friends and colleagues to speak up when they are going through a difficult time.

“This year, the theme for Mental Health Day is suicide prevention. Anyone can visit www.talksuicide.co.uk to complete a 20 minute, video-based training exercise so they can learn life-saving skills and improve the support network for those struggling with suicidal thoughts.”

Anyone in Scunthorpe who needs mental health support can also call into RDaSH’s Talking Shop, at 19 Market Hill in the town centre.

The shop provides free talking therapies to North Lincolnshire people over the age of 18 years who are experiencing feelings of depression, low mood, anxiety, and fears or problems coping with daily life and relationships.

Kate Ashley, IAPT Team Manager at the Talking Shop, said: “Anyone with a mental health need such as depression or anxiety should simply call in to see us and they can have a chat. We also have lots of information about managing mental wellbeing.”

To find out more about the Talking Shop please phone 01724 867297 or call into the Talking Shop, 19 Market Hill, Scunthorpe, DN15 6SS or visit https://iapt.rdash.nhs.uk/

Anyone feeling they are in a mental health crisis should phone their GP, their care co-ordinator or other mental health worker.

Anyone feeling they are in a mental health crisis out of working hours should call RDaSH’s Crisis Team on 01724 382015.