POLICE officers are backing a mental health wellness campaign aimed at helping families to talk about the issue to combat anxiety and depression in children.

Officers and staff from Cleveland Police’s Wellbeing team have taken part in an advert for the Britain Get Talking campaign, which is being shown on primetime television to combat mental health problems.

Inspector Phil Spencer, wellbeing and blue light co-ordinator, who was in the advert along with some of his colleagues, said: "This campaign highlights the importance of bringing mental wellness on a national level, not just for adults but children too.

"Mental wellness can be an issue at any age and it should be talked about in order to support people better and help them get the assistance they need.

“It is great that our photo was included in the advert, and we completely throw our support behind this initiative.

"It is really positive for mental health and wellbeing, something which we are promoting across our force for all officers and staff through our Wellbeing team and Blue Light Programme.

“Across Cleveland Police we now have a number of ‘Blue Light and Wellbeing Champions’ who raise awareness of mental health issues and challenge the stigma around mental health.

"We also hold awareness days and we hold regular training for officers and staff.”

The initiative was launched in October and has been supported by mental health charities Mind and YoungMinds.

It raises the importance of making time for regular conversations with friends and family in order to help maintain mental wellness.