A BOLTON theatre is holding an event to get people taking about mental health and to challenge the stigma surrounding it.

The Octagon is supporting Time To Talk Day, which aims to inspire a million conversations to show mental health problems are common and people should not fear discussing them.

Events will be taking place across the nation on Thursday to raise awareness of mental wellbeing, including at the Octagon, between 1pm and 3pm, where people can call in for a hot drink, activities and a chat.

The theatre runs Headspace, a creative project for people who have experienced a mental health problem, and there will be taster activities in creative writing, animation and visual arts.

Matt Hassall, Headspace project leader, said: “Taking part in the Time To Talk event is a brilliant opportunity for Headspace — participants will be leading activities for members of the public to take part in.

“These will range from making stop-motion animation models to design and upcycling as well as creative writing and citizen journalism.

“One of the key things about Headspace is that we constantly challenge preconceptions of what it means to have experienced a mental health problem.

“There is a lot of stigma and prejudice that exists around mental health and we hope Headspace’s involvement in the Time To Talk event will challenge these ideas.

“We place creativity at the forefront of all we do and use this as a way to support mental health recovery.

“The whole event will be very diverse as we work alongside Bolton Council public health team and the Dramatically Healthy Theatre Company."

Time To Change, England's biggest mental health anti-stigma programme, run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, aims to get more people talking about mental health than ever before with their Time To Talk Day.

Anyone who would like more information about this event or information on mental health and wellbeing services, should contact the public mental health team at Bolton Council on 01204 337299 or email publicmentalhealthteam@bolton.gov.uk.