A FOUR-day walk spanning the district will highlight mental health and the support available locally.

Members of the public have been invited to join in sections of the walk, which begins in Bradford on Monday (May 13) and finishes on Thursday at Skipton.

The route takes in Keighley and South Craven.

Behind the initiative, timed to coincide with national Mental Health Awareness Week, is Mind in Bradford.

It said that as well as raising awareness, the aim of the Wellbeing Walk is to showcase the support offered by mental health charities and community organisations – some of which will be visited during the trek.

The walk is being held over four days to help spotlight the One in Four message – that one in four people is experiencing some kind of mental health problem at any given time.

Alan Wilson, mental health practitioner at Mind in Bradford, said challenging the stigma around the issue was key and the walk would help to dispel myths.

“A lot of people say stigma is the worst part of having a mental health label or diagnosis,” he added.

“If we are going to challenge and change things through society we are having to do it by direct action like this.

“One stigma relating to mental health is that we are lazy – but we want to show that we’re not.

“The walk is directly challenging that stigma in society and it’s important that people do things like this.”

Walkers will set off from Mind in Bradford’s city-centre offices at 10.30am on Monday and cover about three miles to the Cellar Trust in Shipley, via Vital. At 1pm they will head to Bingley.

On Tuesday, the group will set off from Bingley Station at 10.30am to walk to Roshni Ghar and Project 6 in Keighley.

Wednesday's stint will see the walkers leave Roshni Ghar at 10am and head to Steeton and Silsden Station, and then – at noon – head to Cononley via the canal.

And Thursday's last leg will see the walkers leave Cononley Station at 11am to walk to St Andrew’s Church hall in Skipton, along the canal towpath.

Anyone is invited to accompany the walkers, for whatever distance they choose.

The terrain is relatively flat and public transport connections are available nearby.

Mr Wilson said evidence suggested that physical activity could help to improve mental health.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is eating disorders, and on Wednesday ­– from 3pm to 5pm – Mind in Bradford is staging a drop-in session at its base to support anyone worried about their eating or body image.

Practitioners will be on hand to discuss with visitors the impact of social media, celebrating difference and boosting self-esteem and body confidence.

For further information, help or support, visit mindinbradford.org.uk or call 01274 730814.

Anyone in crisis can contact First Response on 01274 221181.