A NEW campaign has been launched to shine a light on mental health across Dorset to tackle stigma and change the way men talk.

A network of organisations including local businesses, the NHS, Public Health Dorset and Bournemouth University have joined forces to put an end to men dealing with mental health difficulties alone.

The Light On campaign urges men to go beyond the banter and talk openly about how they are feeling and whether they are coping.

It aims to train champions and ambassadors to spread this message across the whole of Dorset reaching men where they work, exercise, socialise and live.

Founder of Light On, Andrew Coleman said: "It is time to put an end to the silent struggle among men because of the taboo and stigma about talking when you're not coping very well. This silence is leading to pain, suffering and suicide - and it has to stop.

"This campaign will save people's lives because it will make it ok for people to have a conversation and ask for help. It will transform the way Dorset people, men in particular, deal with mental health and mental health difficulty.

"We must create such a loud voice between us that everyone knows how to have a conversation about seeking and receiving help. We want thousands of people to 'turn their Light on' with us."

The Light On campaign was built using research from panels of men across Dorset who came together to share how they felt about talking about mental health.

They helped to shape the campaign's focus on making sure that men knew how to talk as well as when to talk

Alongside Andrew, Light On is also being spearheaded by Ty Temel, owner of Halo Bournemouth.

He said: "A year ago we started talking about how we could stop this wave of distress amongst men in Dorset that is leading some to take their own lives. It’s great that this campaign coming to fruition as the start of a larger piece of work.

"We wanted to create a campaign that showed people that it's ok to talk, it's ok to say you're not coping well and it's ok to get help.

"If people show that they have their 'Light On' then others will know that they're someone to talk to, who will listen. That, in turn, will shine a light on this issue and bring it out of the shadows."

A survey is also being carried out in conjunction with Bournemouth University to find out what a greater number of men in Dorset feel about their mental health - and what might be stopping them seeking help.

The findings will be used to help the Light On team further develop their campaign, which is set to run for five years across Dorset.

For more information, visit: https://www.lightonmh.uk/