A MENTAL health awareness campaign to recognise individuals and organisations in North and West Cumbria has received an overwhelming number of nominations.

Today launches the start of Mental Health Awareness Week and, as a result of a partnership with Sellafield Ltd and The Whitehaven News; Times & Star; the News & Star and The Cumberland News, the Mental Health Matters campaign was launched.

To raise awareness and to honour those who support others through a difficult time or go above and beyond to raise funds for a mental health charity, we asked our readers to submit nominations.

And, as always, our audiences responded and we received amazing nominations highlighting the incredible support from organisations and individuals.

The aim of this part of the campaign was to shine a spotlight on the incredible work people to do to help others’ mental health in the community and to stress the importance of speaking out and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Our titles, in conjunction with Sellafield, are on Wednesday releasing a video docu-series to champion the services of charities, including West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership.

For the next five weeks, videos will be released which will highlight the crucial work important charities provide for our community.

Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity for everyone to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing help and advice.

Tracey West, social impact manager for Sellafield Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this important campaign.

"These are difficult times for all of us as we continue to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and face the pressure of rising prices and the unpredictability of world events.

"That’s why Sellafield Ltd helped launch the West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership earlier this year. It brings together a wide range of community-based mental health support services.

"You can see the full range of providers on the partnership’s website at wcmhp.org.uk.

"We hope this campaign will encourage people to open up about their mental health and access the services available locally if they need them.”

A supplement featuring mental health awareness advice and support, in partnership with Sellafield, will feature in our titles The Whitehaven News and Times & Star this week.

Tomorrow, as part of this campaign, we highlight the support provided by the Together We charity.

READ MORE: 'These are difficult times' - We team up with Sellafield to launch mental health campaign