INSPIRING support from royalty will have greatly encouraged ordinary members of the public when it comes to mental health, according to the manager of a local charity.

Prince Harry has said it was "only right" to speak about his problems coping with his mother's death because he wanted to encourage others to "smash that stigma" around talking about mental health.

Melanie Gilmour, service manager at Mind in Furness in School Street, Barrow, said it was heartening to see someone as high profile as Prince Harry speaking out about their experiences.

She said: “It has been a real topic of conversation here between staff and members and we think it’s great that he has talked so openly about his own mental health issues.

“We know that this will have a huge impact on people who are still struggling in silence with their mental health - every time someone in the public eye speaks up we know that it encourages ordinary members of the public to do the same.

“Prince Harry speaking so candidly is a true turning point that shows that, as a society, we need to talk openly about mental health, something that affects us all directly.

“Opening the conversation is the first step in making sure people get the help and support they need and the sooner people get help the more quickly they can manage their mental health.”

Harry revealed he spent almost 20 years "not thinking" about his mother's death and eventually got help after two years of "total chaos".

Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been campaigning through their mental health push, Heads Together, to encourage the nation to speak out about their psychological problems or to be a sympathetic ear.

Harry said: "It was only right to share my experiences to hope to encourage others to come forward and smash that stigma, to make it easier for them to talk about their own experiences - so I was just doing my bit.

"When you've heard so many stories from so many other people and if you can relate to that, then it's only right that you talk about your own experiences."

The prince said of his mother: "I think from her perspective she would be overwhelmed and hugely encouraged by the fact that the UK - not known for wanting to talk about mental health issues - has suddenly got to this point."

More information about local support services can be found HERE