A third of people who have seen a story line involving a character with a mental health problem have been inspired to start talking about mental health, say charity Mind. 

The charity’s survey adds that half of people say story lines involving mental health changed their opinion of the kind of people who can develop a mental health problem. 

Some 24% of people said that seeing or reading news stories about mental health can help them to feel less alone. 

One in five said that such news stories have prompted them to contact a colleague with a mental health problem. 

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “These statistics show just how powerful all forms of media can be in inspiring people to start a conversation about mental health and encouraging them to seek help.”