YOUNGSTERS have rallied round to launch a campaign to tackle the stigmas directed at mental health.

Campaign #bekindtomymind wants to get young people talking about mental health to help educate, battle stigma and bullying, raise self-esteem and reach out to those who may need help.

It has been designed by young people from the Bolton-based Healthy Minds Youth Project, led by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Bolton Youth Services.

A launch at Bolton Library last week saw the youngsters showing off their campaign material, as well as videos and personal stories from the young people and their families on living and dealing with varying mental health issues.

Charlotte Mitchell runs patient participation and project at CAMHS.

She said: "The event was a huge success thanks to the contributions of young people and a parents heart felt story.

"The event showcased a strong multi agency approach to tackling stigma in young people's mental health and raised awareness of the self help materials that are now available in Bolton's libraries.

"We were pleased that multi-agency partners from schools, voluntary sector, local authority, health and Bolton at Home attended the event and presentations have led to a wide spread interest in the campaign.

"As one Bolton, working together, in partnership with young people and families we can share parity of esteem messages and the importance of mental health being as important as physical health."

Bolton’s Healthy Minds Youth Project received £10,000 in funding from the Award for All National Lottery Programme to deliver the campaign which has been developed over the past year.

The Project is made up of youngsters from CAMHS, Youth Council, Youth MP’s Young Voices and Action for Children and is an open to any young person aged 11 to 18.

Alongside #bekindtomymind, which coincided with World Mental Health Day, and Bolton Library and Museum Services launched its new Reading Well scheme.

The scheme provides 13 to 18-year-olds with free to borrow books recommended by health professionals which will help tackle a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm, as well as life pressures, such as bullying and exams.

The list of 35 titles is available in all library branches in the borough and will be available to borrow via general library membership.

#bekindtomymind can be followed and shared on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on October 28 young people will be performing The Elephant in the Room, a production about mental health written, produced and performed by members of Healthy Minds Youth Project.

To find out more email charlotte.mitchell@boltonft.nhs.uk.