A WHITEHAVEN councillor is urging anyone who might be struggling with their mental health to get the support they need.

Carl Walmsley, who represents Mirehouse on Whitehaven Town Council, wants to “shatter the stigma” surrounding mental health.

It is a cause close to his heart after losing two family members and a good friend to suicide.

His cousins, Paula Ennis and Adam Walmsley, and friend, Luke King, tragically took their own lives.

Mr Walmsley said: “I can’t stress enough that it really is OK not to be OK and I advise anybody who may be struggling to get the help they need and are thoroughly entitled to.”

The councillor runs a Facebook page called Copeland Suicide Awareness, which shares inspiring posts and advice for anyone who may be struggling with their mental health.

He said the page came about after 20 Mirehouse residents took part in a suicide alertness training course, funded by Mind.

It is run by Mr Walmsley, along with Janine Ward and Andrea Allan, who respond to people’s messages with advice.

Mr Walmsley also decided to become an ambassador for Papyrus, a suicide prevention charity which aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives.

“I went on to raise thousands of pounds for them and more importantly, raise awareness, helping Papyrus become a household name within Copeland,” he said.

“It’s one of my proudest achievements to date.”

Mr Walmsley is a mental health aider for his employer, Morgan Sindall, where he said he is “an ear” for his fellow employees if they need someone to talk to.

He added: “I’m delighted to see so many people raising awareness lately to shatter the stigma of mental health and I’m pleased to see the Government is finally investing money into it.

“I just hope it reaches our over-stretched services up here in Copeland.”