WORLD Mental Health Day on October 10 aims to raise awareness that mental health concerns everyone, and to fight the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds it.

About 120 million working days are lost each year because of mental illness. One in seven adults has a serious mental health problem at some time in their life.

At Greater Manchester Hazards Centre we have been collecting the stories of people at work who have successfully overcome mental health problems and kept their jobs. If anyone does suffer from such a problem, the short advice is 'don't give up'! With the right support and help they can continue their working life.

Trade unions, advice centres and Citizens' Advice bureaux can help.

People need time off work to recover, and shouldn't be forced into making a quick decision about their future. Changes in the job, redeployment or reduced hours can be negotiated to help someone return to work.

The Disabled Employment Adviser at the Job Centre can help people get appropriate aids and equipment to overcome a disability which is causing stress at work.

People can help others with a problem by listening to and supporting them. For many people, a mental health problem is only temporary.

For more ideas on how to tackle mental health problems contact Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, 23 New Mount Street, Manchester M4 4DE. Tel: 0161 953 4037.

CAROLINE BEDALE AND HILDA PALMER.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.