A MAN who suffered mental health problems took on a 26-hour challenge to raise awareness and get people talking.

Adam Pearson, 36, from Silloth, decided to get locked in Silloth’s MUGA (multi-use gaming area) as a way of raising awareness and encouraging others who are suffering to open up.

Adam wants to help others, especially those suffering mental health issues.

He said: “My experience of depression gives me an insight into how to help others deal with the isolation they feel. The idea of ‘solitary’ confinement is a good analogy of how that person feels. I’ve had mental health issues so I know what it is like. It is like being locked in with the world going on around you but you cannot get out.”

Adam was locked in from 8am on Saturday morning until 10am on Sunday morning. He endured torrential rain and cold temperatures in a bid to help others open up.

“The main outcome was people came and spoke to me about their own mental health issues” continued Adam

“The whole thing was to make people stop, think and talk.”

The challenge came off the back of Mental Health Awareness Week, which saw many national campaigns spark interest.

However, for him, it is about tackling the issue on a local level.

“If you cannot sort it on a local level it is not going to work,” added Adam.

“It was amazing the support I received. Random people would go past and ask if I needed anything - people I know of but haven’t spoken to.”

“One person even came and gave me a coffee at 3 am.”

After suffering mental health issues for a number of years, and now being able to reduce his anti-depression medication, Adam loves to help others.

A number of personal issues that most people will face contributed to his problems.

He said: “I will talk to people about mental health all day long. If you cannot stop and help someone something is wrong.”

At first, Adam thought about starving himself for a 24-hour period but then decided on the lock-in.

Knowing his body and knowing he had a bed to come home to the next day was enough to keep him going.“I knew I had a bed to go home to the next day but some people don’t. The feedback has been great. I just wanted to make people ask ‘Are you OK, are you really OK?’”