LEEDS has won a bid to become one of four hubs across the country which are aiming to change attitudes to mental health.

Councils, the NHS, police, community groups, charities, employers and schools in the city will work together to change how we think and act about mental health, as part of a new Time to Change initiative. It is hoped the hubs will improve local attitudes and behaviour towards people experiencing mental health problems.

Cllr Rebecca Charlwood, Chair of Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board, said: "It is great that we won the bid to host this work. We are proud of the work being done in Leeds to combat mental health stigma and there’s been great support from people across the city.

"Mental health is as important as physical health, and we shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about it. We have a range of award winning and innovative services to offer help and support, and by combatting mental health stigma we hope that people who need to feel more comfortable accessing the help they need.”

Leeds is one of four hubs to be launched along with West Sussex, Cumbria and Suffolk. Over the next three years a further 12 hubs will be established across England to provide a focus for local campaigning work.