TalkingSpace Plus joined Marks and Spencer staff to raise awareness this World Mental Health Day.

Shoppers to the Queen Street store in Oxford were invited to join in awareness activities and invited to learn more about the NHS service TalkingSpace Plus which supports people experiencing everyday mental health problems such as anxiety or depression in Oxfordshire.

M&S and TalkingSpace Plus colleagues are working together after the M&S store’s staff group chose TalkingSpace Plus as its Charity of the Year.

TalkingSpace Plus is a service for people experiencing everyday depression or anxiety and registered with an Oxfordshire GP. It is delivered in partnership by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfordshire Mind and Principal Medical Ltd.

Oxford Health’s clinical lead for psychological services in Oxfordshire Jo Ryder said: “We are absolutely delighted that M&S staff chose to support TalkingSpace Plus and help us talk about mental health.

“We all need to look after our mental health and it’s really common for people to experience ill health from time to time – one in four people will experience a mental health problem and even more will know a close friend or family member who has been unwell.

“Today has been a brilliant opportunity to talk about mental health with the public and we’re extremely grateful to M&S for choosing to support TalkingSpace Plus and the mental health of people living in Oxfordshire.”

Ben Atkinson, M&S staff group rep, said: “I nominated TalkingSpace Plus because I was aware of al the good work they do with our community. They’ve helped me and friends in the past and it transpired a number of people from the store as well.

“I’m very proud to have TalkingSpace Plus in store today and start raising a bit of awareness and help combat mental health stigma.”

World Mental Health Day is an annual event organised by the World Health Organisation to encourage discussion and awareness of mental health and how to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.