Soap star raises mental health awareness (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Soap star raises mental health awareness

11:52am Tuesday 7th October 2008

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EMMERDALE actress Roxanne Pallett has spoken out in support of a series of countywide events aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues.

Miss Pallett, whose soap character Jo Sugden is currently involved in a domestic violence storyline, is urging people to show their support for World Mental Health Day on Friday by becoming involved in a series of events around Cumbria.

These include the Kentmere Ward in Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal, where staff have invited interested organisations to visit the ward and set up information stands in reception on mental health issues.

The Carlisle-born actress said: “I would like to offer my support and empathy to this important campaign.

“For some people mental health problems are triggered by circumstances and life events such as domestic violence and abuse. In fact, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in our lifetime and therefore we should support and understand people with mental health problems.”

Mss Pallett is urging Cumbrians to join Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which last year launched a campaign to show how mental health problems, including anorexia, post natal depression, dementia and suicide can affect individuals and their friends and relatives.

Membership is free and open to anyone over the age of 14 who lives in Cumbria.

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