TAUNTON Racecourse is supporting the national 'Time to Talk, Time to Change' campaign to combat mental health stigma and discrimination next week.

A specially-named horse race - The Mental Health Challenge – has been organised on Monday (March 24) in honour of the campaign’s ‘Time To Talk Day’, which took place earlier in the year.

Somerset County Council Public Health, local charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and the NHS will have a stand at the racecourse offering people the chance to chat and providing advice and information.

Cllr Christine Lawrence, chair of the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Stigma can stop people seeking support and talking about their experiences, which makes the mental health issues worse than they need be.

"This a great opportunity to be part of a national drive to address the stigma surrounding mental health and Somerset County Council is delighted to support it.

"We would encourage as many people and workplaces as possible to help spread the #TimetoTalk message.”

If you would like to be a part of the ‘big conversation’ about mental health, pop along to Taunton Racecourse on Monday or go to www.time-to-change.org.uk/talkday