A group of young campaigners from Maryport are urging local people to have the courage to reach out and help friends and family who might be struggling with their mental health.

The group, all aged between 17 and 20, are launching a series of new, short film clips encouraging people to have the ‘courage to talk’ and the ‘courage to listen.’ The reassuring audio-visual messages showcase West Cumbrian nature and have been recorded and narrated by group members over lockdown.

Rebecca Woods from WE WILL said: “We’re all worried about the health and wellbeing of people around us but we’ve found that most of us don’t know how to help. As a group we have created a series of short, reassuring messages that aim to inspire people to have the courage to help others. Throughout May, we would like people to help share these messages, so that together we can inspire communities to reach out to friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.”

"In addition, every day during Mental Health Awareness Week - May 10 to 16 -, WE WILL are re-releasing one of their five acclaimed short films on social media.

WE WILL’s campaigning over recent years has captured the attention of over one million people worldwide, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who shared WE WILL’s film BOY on Kensington Palace’s official Instagram account after the group were invited to meet them in 2019.

Member of WE WILL, Billy Robinson says “From our research we know that there are many reasons why people don’t reach out to those we know are struggling. We don’t want to interfere, we don’t want to get involved, we worry we won’t know what to say if someone does open up. But we also know that people who are struggling don’t want us to fix their problems. They just want someone to listen and be there for them. Just showing we care, saying ‘you can always talk to me’ and by listening, we can all make the biggest difference. It’s as simple as that.”

WE WILL are asking individuals, organisations and businesses to watch and share their audio-visual clips and films with staff, clients, family, friends and other people in their networks – both at work and at home.

All films are being shared on social media channels now and throughout May.

Facebook @makingmaryportsmile, Twitter @wewillcampaign, Instagram @wewillcampaign and YouTube.

WE WILL’s 18 x audio-visual clips can be transferred on request. Each clip is approx. 30 secs long.

The campaign group's five films are on their website www.ewanrigg.com/wewill and can be transferred on request.

More information on the group can also be found on www.ewanrigg.com/wewill, including details of their many awards, their involvement in BBC Newsround Documentary - Inside my Head with Joe Wicks, their worldwide media coverage and their recommendations on how to improve youth mental health for schools, businesses and in the community.

‘Have the courage to talk, have the courage to listen. No-one is alone’.

WE WILL – will you?

www.ewanrigg.com/wewill