Local MP Alan Campbell recently opened an event to mark World Mental Health Day at the Crescent Club in Cullercoats.

The theme of this year’s event was Survive, Thrive, Be Alive.

Alan Campbell said “It is easy to think that mental health issues don’t concern us but in fact research shows that a quarter of us will have problems with mental health issues at some time in our lives.

Mental health is one of the biggest challenges we face and there needs to be a concerted focus on improving treatment, support and awareness of mental health, both in our local area and across the country.  Events like this are invaluable at raising awareness and challenging the stigma of mental health issues and I want to thank everyone involved in the event.”