A NEW mental health service is set take its message that ‘mental health is just as important as physical health’ into schools across Bury.

Bolton-based Healthy Mind UK launched its #BeYou project in September.

There are three parts to the programme – ‘Brainchild’, ‘Mind Tekkers’ and ‘Talkaway’ - all of which include ‘fun and innovative’ activities designed to help children to develop their mental health and wellbeing.

Andy Cameron, education manager and co-founder at Healthy Mind UK, runs the group with his sister Kerry Barr. He said: "We are determined to help the future generation in our first project; to help reduce the number of children growing up and becoming teenagers and adults with a mental health associated illness."

He continued: “I believe that the hard work we will do with young kids now will help in the long term for enhancing and improving the community as well as reducing the strain and stress put on our local NHS and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) services.

"The Healthy Mind UK team want to bring lots of creativity with our creative manager Kerry working hard on this, as well as a fantastic educational experience for children.

Mr Cameron also said the project would link into schools' curricula and Ofsted requirements, as well as the government’s Every Child Matters and British Values initiatives.

He said: “We believe that our methods will improve children's resilience, help children explore new activities, have a positive impact within schools and will give parents and guardians the tools to continue the hard work at home with their children.

“The #BeYou Project will use an 8ft brain dome, modern technology and real life based scenarios which children can relate to. We want children to understand their brain, their thoughts and their choices so that they can live their lives for the better both now and in the future.

“We want to help children grow up without the stigma associated with mental health, with the tools to look after their ment ¬al health and with the confidence to speak about their feelings, thoughts and emotions".

Would you like your school to be involved? Healthy Mind UK can be contacted by emailing enquiry@healthyminduk.co.uk. There is also a website, healthyminduk.co.uk and a Twitter account @HealthyMindUK