ST HELENS Primary Care Trust has set aside a whole week to draw the public's attention to the issues surrounding mental health and well-being.

From October 6 to 11, the PCT in partnership with organisations and voluntary groups throughout the St Helens area will be hosting a series of awareness raising activities.

The theme throughout is 'Youth' and on Tuesday, October 7 there will be a training session aimed at young managers to raise awareness of mental health issues and stress-related problems.

This will be held at The World of Glass in St Helens and will be run in conjunction with St Helens Chamber.

In the afternoon there will be training provided to 100 students from St Helens College who are on health and social care courses.

"These sessions are aimed at raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues and drawing peoples attention to those issues", explained Dave Sweeney, Senior Health Promotion Specialist with St Helens PCT.

On Wednesday, October 8 senior health and social care managers will be invited to a showing of a production at the Citadel by a youth theatre company - The Miniature Bear Company.

The production 'Dragonfly Dreams' examines the trials and tribulations of schizophrenia.

Working in conjunction with CALM-the Campaign Against Living Miserably - the PCT will be staging a gig in The Citadel featuring three school bands from the St Helens area.

The event will look at how music influences mental health and will be an opportunity for local groups to showcase their talent.

Throughout Saturday, October 11, there will be a marquee in St Helens Town Hall Square. The marquee will feature information, help and advice on a wide range of mental health issues and professionals from throughout the borough will be available to answer concerns and questions.

"Whilst the rest of the UK will be setting aside one day for World Mental Health Day, we in St Helens will be hosting a series of events over a period of one week," added Dave.

"We want people to realise this is a very real issue and one we and our partners are committed to raising awareness and understanding of.

"This is very much an example of the PCT working in close partnership with the voluntary and statutory sectors to raise awareness of the issues and show how we are all working hard to improve the lives of those suffering mental illness."

Earlier this year the PCT organised a daylong workshop event that was aimed at professionals and gave an overview of the work being done in St Helens to tackle mental health.