Wolverhampton will be marking World Mental Health Day next week with a special event at the Arena Theatre.

Health and social care services, mental health charities and other organisations are joining forces to stage the drop in session at Wulfruna Street theatre on Tuesday (7 October, 2014) from 10am to 4pm.

Experts will be on hand to talk about mental health issues, how to access services and give people top tips to help themselves stay well, while people who have overcome mental health issues will be on hand to talk about their experiences.

Visitors can have a free health check and watch short films showcasing the support available to them. They can also pick up free tickets, on a first come, first served, basis to see the movie Silver Linings Playbook, a romantic comedy about a man with bipolar disorder who is released from a psychiatric hospital and moves back in with his parents.

Councillor Sandra Samuels, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "Good mental health is important for all of us, but sadly one in four people are affected by a mental health problem at some point in their life.

"It's really important that people take this opportunity to find out more about the support available to people struggling with mental health issues, which may help themselves or someone they care for."

Among the organisations giving out information and advice at the event are Wolverhampton City Council, Black Country Partnership Foundation Trust, Midland Heart, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council, LGBT Network, Wolverhampton Homes, Heantun Housing, Hear Our Voice, the Welfare Rights Team, Positive Action for Mental Health, SUIT, Recovery Near You, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, the Employment Support Service, Zion City Tabernacle, Creative Support, ACCI, Mental Health Empowerment Team, Omega, Access to Business and the University of Wolverhampton.

World Mental Health Day itself takes place on Friday 10 October, 2014. A day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy, it was first marked in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health.

  • released: Thursday 2 October, 2014