HOW are you feeling today?

Rugby players, a Bradford City football commentator and Emmerdale soap star are among those who have signed up to a new mental health campaign to get people talking.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust has got behind Time to Talk Day, on Thursday, February 1, to encourage chat about how people are feeling.

Figures show one in four people are affected by mental health issues every year.

The Care Trust has come up with a number of ways to get people to open up and spark off conversation in schools, homes and workplaces.

The day is part of a national campaign to reduce the stigma around mental illness and activities include getting people to take a pledge picture to show their support.

Care Trust staff are doing their own ‘pledge pic’, which will be shared across the Trust’s social media in the run-up to the event.

Bradford Bulls, Bradford City FC commentator Jason Thornton, Starbucks, Don’t Tell Titus Bar/Restaurant, Emmerdale’s Amy Walsh, Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Czajka Care Group and West Yorkshire Police have agreed to take part on their own social media using @BDCFT #BDCTTimeToTalk.

The pledge cards can be downloaded from the Care Trust’s website at bdct.nhs.uk/news-events/events/time-talk-2018.

In the run-up to Time to Talk Day the Care Trust will also be working in partnership with colleges getting students to join in with the pledge with a chance of winning a prize for the

best photo.

“Budding photographers will take snaps in a location of their choice – up the top of mountain, at home, in a broom cupboard, at a selfie station or with an all-star cast of friends, family or pets,” said a Trust spokesman.

A panel of judges including the Care Trust’s director of corporate affairs Paul Hogg, Bradford Council’s mental health champion Councillor Fozia Shaheen and Salts Mill’s Robin Silver will select the winner and two runners-up. The winners will be revealed on Time to Talk Day on the Trust’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

The free NHS service, MyWellbeing College, designed to help people navigate their way through life’s ups and downs, will also be backing the campaign.

The service, run in partnership by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and local voluntary and community organisations, offers phone advice or one-to-one courses as well as a website with free tips and tools. See bmywellbeingcollege.nhs.uk