Media playback is not supported on this device Great Britain’s Heather Watson to donate half of prize money to World Mental Health Day
Gymnast Beth Tweddle is among the celebrities backing World Mental Health Day on Wednesday by donating half her earnings for this season’s events to charity.
Tweddle won bronze at London 2012 and was a 2012 runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing.
On 30 November, the day when mental health becomes World Mental Health Day, fellow Strictly contestant Heather Watson will share half of her £35,000 prize money for her WTA 500 title in Zagreb.
The initial aims of the day are to raise awareness of mental health problems and encourage more to seek help.
Mental health charity Mind has also agreed to donate £300 to British team Medarex’s Go Well App on behalf of star teenager James Roe.
James, a 19-year-old tennis player from Surrey, is currently the British number one in the men’s singles at the end of the 2017 ATP Tour World Tour.
“I lost my dad to mental illness in 2011, and being able to witness the impact of mental illness on my family when I was young was incredibly shocking,” said Roe.
“My two best friends have also been diagnosed with it and, being young, it made me realise how debilitating it can be.
“Having set this target, I hope it will make a real difference to some of the people in our society that need the support and help more than others.”
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Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said: “World Mental Health Day aims to unite people from across the public and private sectors to support people affected by mental illness, and give them the tools and opportunities to succeed in all aspects of their lives.”
Nottingham City Council, representing England’s ninth largest city, is providing educational information via social media and other platforms.
Aldershot Borough Council says its support aims to help individuals suffering from mental illness and support those who want to get more involved in mental health.
Twenty-seven NHS trusts are offering free courses across England about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions.