A SURVEY has found almost a third of people in the Forth Valley area are not comfortable talking about their mental health.

Censuswide surveyed 119 people in the area ahead of Time to Talk day on February 6. The survey found that 28 per cent of those asked said they were not comfortable speaking about their mental health.

It means that Forth Valley falls below the national average of 29 per cent.

To change this See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health discrimination, is calling for people to take action in 2020 to tackle the stigma around mental health so people never have to feel ashamed or embarrassed to say they’re struggling.

They are urging workplaces, community groups, schools, universities and health and social care providers and individuals in Alloa to start by getting involved in next month’s Time to Talk day.

Wendy Halliday, See Me interim director, said: “Too many people with mental health problems are still made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed.

“Conversations have the power to change lives, wherever they take place.

“See Me wants to make this years’ Time to Talk to be the biggest and best yet. Wherever you are on the day, have your conversation about mental health.

“You can go onto our website and order materials, get ideas on activities and events you can run and download everything you need to support on social media.”

See Me is Scotland’s programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

Time to Talk day aims to get everyone in the country talking about mental health, to stop people from feeling isolated when they are struggling.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/rwsqtjd for more information on Time to Talk day.