​A Mental Health Champion has been appointed at Mansfield District Council as part of a charity-driven mental health challenge.

Cllr Lee Probert, ward councillor for Yeoman Hill, was appointed after councillors voted in favour of a motion at a recent full council meeting.

She takes up the role in time for World Mental Health Day, which is the annual global celebration of mental health education, awareness and advocacy, on Saturday 10 October. The theme for 2015 is Dignity in Mental Health.

The Mental Health Challenge was set up by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mind, MHPF, Rethink Mental Illness, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds who are working together to improve mental health across England.

The council agreed it would now look at how mental health issues could be taken into account in the services it provides. It will also look at ways it can work alongside partner organisations to contribute to a range of actions.

The actions include working to reduce inequalities and tackling discrimination in mental health in the local community and encouraging positive mental health among the council’s own workforce.

Cllr Probert, who has been a volunteer for the Samaritans for five and a half years and has been involved in fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “One in four people will suffer from mental health issues during their life time. This is something that affects all of us and I want to blast away the stigma around mental health problems. I have known people who have suffered with depression and I know how hard it is for them.

“I will be using my new role to raise awareness among councillors and staff of mental health issues and looking for ways that we can actively support people in our community.”

Cllr Andrew Tristram, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and a representative on Nottinghamshire County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “We recognise the importance of mental health and improving the health of people – both physically and mentally. This is a key part of the council’s aim to improve the quality of life for residents and workers in the district.”