Cumbria has been named one of the country's first Time to Change hubs, in a bid to alter attitudes to mental health.

Councils, the NHS, community groups, charities, employers and schools in the county are coming together to change how people think and act about mental health.

Time to Change hubs are a new partnership of local organisations and mental health champions committed to improving local attitudes and behaviours towards people experiencing mental health problems.

Councillor Ian Stewart, cabinet member for communities and public health, said: “Mental ill-health is distressing for those directly and indirectly affected and is a major challenge in our communities.

"Thankfully it is an issue which is increasingly recognised and which people are beginning to feel more comfortable talking about.

"This initiative puts Cumbria at the forefront of this agenda nationally and promises to be a huge boost to those in our communities who are impacted by mental health problems and all those concerned with this agenda.”

Cumbria is one of four hubs to be launched along with West Sussex, Leeds and Suffolk. Over the next three years a further 12 hubs will be established across England to provide a focus for local campaigning work.

Jo Loughran, director of operations at Time to Change, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with organisations and individuals across Cumbria as part of this exciting new initiative."