WORLD Mental Health Day was celebrated across Craven with people taking part in activities and workshops planned and coordinated by the Craven Community Learning Partnership.

Lindsey Daniels, director of business and community development at Craven College said, ‘World Mental Health Day is all about raising awareness of this growing worldwide issue – one in four adults in the UK experience a mental health problem each year.”

Craven College and Craven Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum coordinated an event at Herriots Hotel, Skipton, for professionals working with a range of different service users. The three talks on stress management, resilience and on demystifying mental health were one of a collection of events going on throughout Craven.

Deborah Hooker, counselling skills tutor at Craven College and leader of the stress management session said: “The day was about recognising stress and putting into operation some coping mechanisms, giving people the tools to reduce stress levels.”

All of the activities focussed on the five different ways to wellbeing - connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, and give to others.

Ingleton hosted the Pioneer Projects art exhibition of artwork created by mental health art groups, with Ingleton Methodist Big Sing Choir livening up the library.

‘The Emotional Brain’, a talk by Dr Janet Donnelly, took place at Settle Community Library. The retired consultant community paediatrician explored how the emotional brain works, what makes people feel the way they do and what simple strategies you can use to feel more in control. On a physical level there was ‘swimming for silver swimmers’ and ‘walking for health with North Craven Strollers, a walk in Settle and Giggleswick.

In High Bentham, Pioneer Projects and Bentham Community Library organised a day of fun, friendly and inclusive wellbeing activity and information to with tea and cake, ‘sing along with every song’ and an afternoon of community art.

South Craven Walking4Health met at South Craven Community Library and enjoyed a one hour walk, and people were invited to call into the library for a chat over a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

The Cancer Support Centre, Skipton, held health and wellbeing workshops for carers of anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, while the drug and alcohol services in North Yorkshire offered client well-being sessions including acupuncture, relaxation workshops in mindfulness and hypnotherapy.

Heather Green organised a fundraising stall and awareness event at Dyneley House Surgery, in Skipton, with items donated by businesses including Keelham Farm Shop, Morrisons and Craven Bakery.