A WORLD of help is at hand for those in Oxfordshire who might be struggling with depression – and according to charity bosses, the hardest part is asking for it.

Some 5,000 people were supported by Oxfordshire Mind for depression in 2016 and up to 175,000 people in the county could be facing a mental health problem each year.

But despite the prevalence of cases and the changing attitudes of society, chief executive Dan Knowles said many people were still hesitant to speak up.

He said: "For certain segments of our population there is a stigma associated with talking about mental health.

"But we all have physical health. We all have mental health. Literally everybody knows someone who suffers from a mental health challenge.

"The hardest thing you can do is open up the conversation. As soon as you have done that, the whole thing gets a lot easier."

In the past Oxfordshire Mind has invited prominent individuals including actor Michael Sheen, broadcaster Jeremy Paxman and cricketer Michael Yardy to talk about depression as they have experienced it in the hope that it will encourage others to feel more confident opening up.

Young people, Mr Knowles said, were often in the spotlight because the rise in cases of anxiety, depression and self-harm had seemingly 'come from nowhere'.

He said: "The impact of social media on young people is huge. It's an area we are starting to really get involved in.

"A quarter of 16- to 24-year-old females in this country have self-harmed, which is a remarkable statistic. A decade ago it was 10 per cent.

"We believe any acceleration can be brought back again. Any graph with a significant up-curve can be turned into a down-curve."

Oxfordshire Mind runs a dedicated information line for any mental health enquiry, whether someone is feeling suicidal or just low, or worried on someone else's behalf.

Peer groups shaped by people using the service are also offered across Oxfordshire in everything from art and music to assertiveness and self-esteem.

Staff are also on hand at drop-in wellbeing centres in Oxford, Abingdon, Witney and Banbury to give practical advice and support.

Daniel Lammin, who works at The Mill wellbeing centre in Between Towns Road, Cowley, said: "As humans we are all susceptible to feeling low.

"The UK is quite an isolated society and if there's support people don't necessarily realise it. A number of people also deny they have a problem to try to look strong.

"But you can learn about yourself and how to prevent these factors happening again. The more you build up resilience, the stronger you get."

To speak to the Oxfordshire Mind Information Line during normal office hours call 01865 247778 or in an urgent out-of-hours situation call Thames Valley Police via 101, make an emergency GP appointment by calling 111 or call The Samaritans in Oxford on 01865 722122.?