Posters have been going up in Dawlish this week offering support and advice for anyone suffering from mental health problems.

The town council's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention working group have been placing the 'Do you need help?' posters on the doors of public toilets, where people can read them in privacy and take down details of helplines.

It's part of an initiative that was started early this year, before the coronavirus pandemic struck, but has turned out to be a much-needed response to it. Read more about the initiative here: 'Little did we know how crucial this would be'.

The poster is the counterpart of a leaflet that was delivered to 6,500 households in October and November, packed with advice and information on the support available.

Cllr Alison Foden, the Mayor of Dawlish, said: "The leaflet is very timely, as it has been a difficult period for all ages during the pandemic, with redundancies, unemployment, loneliness, grief, isolation, stress, anxiety and feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts about the future.

"The leaflet is part of the Town Council working towards making Dawlish a caring and safer town."

The leaflet is aimed at anyone whose own mental wellbeing is suffering, or who has concerns about someone else.

It contains advice on dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts, and the contact details of professional support organisations.

It recognises the risk factors that can damage mental wellbeing, such as alcohol and drug misuse, bullying, domestic abuse and gambling, and provides information on helplines and websites giving support on these specific issues.

The overall message is that mental health problems can happen to anyone, that there is no shame in asking for help, and that there are people and organisations who care and will offer support.

The leaflet, in printable format, can be downloaded here: Do you need help?