PROFESSIONAL rugby players have teamed up with civic leaders and health chiefs to encourage Halton residents to look after their mental health.

Widnes Vikings, Halton Council, ,Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust and other organisations are showing their support for Rugby Football League’s Mental Health Awareness week.

State of Mind is a campaign to encourage sportsmen and women, supporters and their families to take care of their mental health through looking after themselves, eating well, keeping fit and talking about their feelings.

The Vikings will be wearing State of Mind t-shirts while warming up for the last game of the season against Wigan on Friday 29th August.

Supporters have been posting 'selfies' in State of Mind t-shirts on social media sites to raise awareness.

Health campaigners will be on hand at Friday's game to offer practical help and advice.

Halton Clr Marie Wright, board member for health and wellbeing, said: “One in four adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year with the most common being mixed anxiety and depression.

"The State of Mind campaign team works tirelessly throughout the UK in super league, championship and amateur clubs as well as colleges and community groups, aiming to raise awareness of mental health issues within sport."

Making simple changes to how you live doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time, but it can make a big difference to your mental and physical health. There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel. Food can have a long lasting effect on your mental health.

A self-help website, live-life-well.net, has been designed by the Halton Health Improvement Team to help people to manage their mental health and wellbeing.

For more details about the campaign, visit stateofmindrugby.com.