A MENTAL health charity is taking action in Radcliffe to challenge the myths surrounding depression.

To coincide with Blue Monday - known as the most depressing day of the year - The Richmond Fellowship will be holding an event at Asda on January 26 to raise awareness of mental health and give people advice on how to manage depression and other mental health problems.

Joe Redmond, managing director of Richmond Fellowship (North), said: “It’s vital that people take depression and other mental health problems seriously.

“Whilst we welcome any opportunity that raises awareness of depression and makes people more comfortable talking about it, the suggestion that depression can be caused by cold weather trivialises mental health problems and is a set back to everyone’s work to tackle stigma. It’s important that people know about the realities of depression and where to go for advice and support.”

Recovery worker Daniel Shepherd said: “Blue Monday is seen by many as the most depressing day of the year, but depression doesn’t limit itself to just one day.

“We wanted the opportunity to talk to people in Bury about mental health and raise awareness about mental health conditions and how people can manage them. We’re hoping to dispel some of the myths around mental health and tackle the stigma that surrounds it.”

The awareness event will take place at Asda, in Pilkington Way, on between 9am and 12pm on Tuesday.

For more information visit: www.richmondfellowship.org.uk/greatermanchester