Over 50 organisations came together to offer advice and support at Swansea Bay University Health Board’s World Mental Health Day event on Friday, October 10.

Held at Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum, the free event focused on this year’s theme of Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies.

Open to health board staff and the public, the event showcased the wide variety of mental health and wellbeing support that is available in the community, provided either by the health board or other organisations.

The event theme highlighted the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability. This included the mental health impact of repeated exposure to news coverage of crises and conflicts and advises and recognises it's okay to ask for help, no matter what you, or anyone else is going through.

MH&LD Head of Operations, Eve Jeffery said: “We were delighted to see so many people attend the event and access the variety of services available on the day.

“The stigma of discussing mental health is being broken down each year, and we want people to feel even more comfortable talking about it.

“That has definitely been the case during this event, which focused on the importance of accessible mental health support during times of crisis. When disaster strikes, mental health care is more vital than ever.

“We were delighted by the support of local organisations who enabled the event to offer a wide range of support and advice.”

Hospital Notes Choir opened the event while the day also comprised of a raffle which included prizes such as a complimentary one-month free membership to JD Gyms Llansamlet; a £20 Croeso lounge voucher and afternoon tea for two at Cwm Ivy Café.

All proceeds raised on the day will benefit Older Peoples Mental Health Services in Tonna and Cefn Coed hospitals.