FIVE hundred balloons representing the 125,000 people in Worcestershire who are living with mental distress, were released in Worcester city centre to mark World Mental Health Day.
Actor Trevor Harrison, who plays Eddie Grundy in Radio Four's long-running series The Archers, released the balloons outside the Guildhall at the start of a Sanity Fair, which was a free celebration of mental wellbeing.
It included music, entertainment, arts, crafts, information and advice, ending with a concert in the evening. "Releasing the balloons in the High Street created a lot of interest," said Toni Woolley, who is project leader for Worcestershire Mental Health Network.
"We want to make people aware that mental health is like physical health - we need to look after it. There are 125,000 people in Worcestershire suffering mental health problems and one in four of us will be affected at some time.
"Unfortunately the public still have a very negative view of people with mental health problems, but they are people with children, partners, families and talents."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article