Hampshire charity say numbers are "ever-increasing" of those facing mental health challenges
A charity say there's "still great stigma" attached to mental health
A Hampshire charity say they're seeing "ever-increasing" numbers of people facing mental health challenges.
It comes on World Mental Health Day.
Solent Mind say they're at Westquay shopping centre in Southampton today to talk about mental health misconceptions.
Ian Stiff, Chief Operating Officer at Solent Mind, said: "I think mental health is far more part of our common language now; but I wouldn't necessarily say that understanding of what it means is there.
"I think there's still a tendency to think just of the label and to not look beyond the label and some of those misconceptions are still very much in evidence.
"I think it really does come down to people just being really courageous and speaking up and talking about some of the conditions that are affecting them.
"What we're trying to do is to create an environment where people feel more comfortable to do that.
"I think that's the way we can start to dispel some myths and turn it into a more positive conversation about mental health in our communities."
Mr Stiff told us the charity's noting an increase in the numbers of people wanting to access mental health services.
He said: "Sadly, it can feel inevitable in a time where a lot of people are struggling with their mental health that the demand for services is so high, the supply cannot keep pace.
"We do everything we can to keep waiting lists to a minimum so that people can get support as quickly as possible.
"In fact, many of our wellbeing centres across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, are places where people can turn up and come and get support on the day."
The group run various projects including some services being based in horticultural environments with plants.
Solent Mind will be on the ground floor of the West Quay shopping centre between 10am and 5pm with people from various services to give advice, take donations, and have conversations around mental health.
The group will also have some artwork by students from Southampton Solent University based on their theme of 'Beyond the Label'.
Mr Stiff told us what the charity's aims are for World Mental Health Day.
He said: "The aim really of World Mental Health Day is to reduce stigma related to metal health and start some of the conversations.
"This year in particular, the theme is 'Beyond the Label', so we're really interested in tackling misconceptions about what mental health is.
"When people start talking about it and how it affects people, they have some pre-formed ideas about what that means.
"What we're trying to do is to just get people to open up a little bit, have a conversation to talk about it and to understand how poor mental health can affect people's lives.
"But also to help people to understand that it doesn't need to be limiting.
"People are really capable of achieving really wonderful things."