FOR a lot of people there is still a negative stigma attached to talking and opening up about mental health issues.

The commonly used analogy is that if you were physically unwell, you would visit a doctor, so why don't people do the same if they are mentally unwell?

Many people suffering from poor mental health will often keep their feelings hidden from others until sadly, in many cases it's too late.

For Luke Tinsley of Whitchurch, poor mental health lead to him attempting to take his own life and ending up in hospital after appearing on a reality TV show.

But the experience spurred him to try and change people's perceptions of mental health.

Luke formed his charity Don't Mind Me UK in 2018 and ever since then has worked with organisations on how to spot poor mental health and how to promote and improve positive mental health.

"I started Don’t Mind Me UK off the back of coming off a TV show, One Hot Summer," said Luke.

"On this show, I opened up to the millions of viewers and subsequently I left the production early due to my own mental health.

"In a clip, we had a truth circle and I really didn't know what to say, the producers and staff all told me to tell my story.

"I was like why the hell would I want to tell the whole world that I was depressed and ended up in hospital and sectioned due trying to take my own life?

"A year on and I couldn't have said anything better, to know I helped so many people around the globe open up and talk about their mental health meant I have started something.

"That was the birth of Don't Mind Me UK."

Last week saw World Mental Health Day, which saw many people take to social media to share their experiences.

But Luke thinks every day should be be a mental health day.

"Having more people talk and do things around mental health awareness day is great, but what about the other 365 days," he added.

"For those of us that manage mental illness, tomorrow is also a mental illness day. And the day after, and the day after, and the day after.

"I'm proud to speak up everyday about where stigma truly happens and that is mental illness. That's why the true advocates think today is another day where someone took their life."

Luke believes that while perceptions of mental health are changing for the better, there is still an element of 'slacktivism' around the issue.

"It is changing in society, but some people I guess do it for the wrong reasons, ie to look good on social media," said Luke.

"I have had Love Island stars, not mentioning any names, message me and be like I would like to be an ambassador, I say okay that is great, but why?

"They were like, we can get you loads of followers and sell your merch. My reply is always mental health isn’t about the followers, especially on social media its about creating a safe place.

"There isn’t a point me using an influencer on Instagram to promote my brand to their millions of followers, if only a month a go there were selling weight loss products which don’t work and only do it for the money.

The Green Ribbon, is great, people know exactly what it means and stands for, something so small can mean so much power!

Luke now works as a public speaker, taking Don't Mind Me UK into schools and businesses.

"I go into businesses and schools and deliver mental health education and awareness sessions. From my own personal experiences, to education around mental health and what we can do to create a better workplace, how to spot a decline in mental health and definitions of mental health and illnesses.

"We have a podcast out, which has been in the UK top 20 and weirdly top 40 in Saudi Arabia!"

And for people in Whitchurch, Luke will soon launch a man club in Whitchurch, where blokes of the town can come and get things off their chest and join a community where they feel welcome and safe.

For more details on Don't Mind Me UK, visit www.dontmindme.co.uk