Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, is encouraging those living with mental health issues to seek help and support in response to World Mental Health Day today (Monday).

Each year, the awareness day takes a particular theme and 2022's focus is to 'make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority', aiming to see mental health treated with equal care and support as physical health.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said: "The messaging behind World Mental Health Day is so important. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, discussions around mental health have begun to open up but I understand there is still a lot more to be done.

PCC for Cheshire, John Dwyer

"It is crucial that we continue to check up on friends, family, neighbours and colleagues and nurture conversations about mental health to help erase the stigma that surrounds the topic.

"I am so pleased that the theme for 2022 is to make mental health a priority for all. I believe that mental health should be treated with the same care as physical health and that everyone should have equal access to the support that they need."

The demand on mental health services is continuing to increase and the police service is often called upon to provide support when people are unsure of who else they can to turn to. This results in frontline officers responding to complex cases that often have minimal or no aspect of criminality.

John Dwyer added: "In my Police and Crime Plan, I outline that I do not want to see people with mental health issues caught up in the criminal justice system when they haven't committed a crime. It is important that officers and police staff can assess whether mental health support is required for the people that they come into contact with.

"I have increased the number of street triage officers to help identify where people suffering with mental health issues can go for support and I am committed to working with key partners to establish further guidance to ensure that anyone who has not committed a crime is given a safe place for treatment."

There are a number of national and Cheshire-based organisations that provide support for those with mental health issues:

Cheshire Wellbeing Hub (Cheshire and Wirral Partnership) www.cwp.nhs.uk/our-services

Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/choose-well-cheshire/mental-health/

Samaritans www.samaritans.org

Mind www.mind.org.uk

CALM www.thecalmzone.net

Papyrus www.papyrus-uk.org

The Mix www.themix.org.uk/mental-health