MENTAL health charity Mind in Somerset is launching a campaign to fight crisis in the workplace.

Mind in Somerset is launching the campaign on September 26 at Dillington House, Ilminster.

Businesses including Porter Dobson and Gooch and Housego have pledged their support.

The campaign is designed to help businesses tackle the growing crisis of anxiety, stress and depression among the work force. This is costing UK businesses at least £35bn a year, according to the Health & Safety Executive.

David Fields, community fundraising manager, said: "We will be working in partnership with national Mind and other local Minds and organisations and, being a charity, all the profits from these courses will be ploughed straight back into the services we provide to help those suffering from poor mental health in Somerset.

“We want to make Somerset the most mentally healthy county to work in in the UK. Part of the campaign will involve The Time to Change Employers’ Pledge where businesses can commit to improving mental welfare in the workplace and become Mental Health Champions.

“Mind in Somerset is a Time to Change Hub and we want to encourage businesses to rethink mental illness and remove the old stigma attached to it. That means talking openly about issues like stress, anxiety and depression.”

The campaign will involve training in the public and private sector, and will discuss subjects such as managing mental health at work for CEOs and manager, mental health first aid, and stress and anxiety toolbox training.