Herefordshire has one of the lowest rates of depression and anxiety in the country, according to a survey of patients registered with GPs.

But figures from Public Health England still show that one in every nine registered patients in the area was suffering with at least one of the mental health conditions.

The most recent survey showed that Herefordshire had the 12th-lowest rate in the country, despite a 12.3% rise since 2015.

The West Midlands as a whole had a higher than average percentage of patients with anxiety or depression. Across the region, 14.1% of respondents in the survey reported one or both of the conditions, an increase of 9.6% on 2015.

Stephen Buckley, from local mental health charity Mind, said: “As attitudes towards mental health improve and with it the understanding that help is available, we’re going to see more and more people seek support. No matter where you live, it is important that everyone has access to quality mental health services, when they need them.”

Across England, 13.7% of GPs’ patients reported living with depression or anxiety at the start of 2017. They were more common among women, with 14.7% saying they had at least one of the two conditions. For men, the rate was 12.7%.

Nationally, figures varied significantly between areas. The highest rates of depression and anxiety were in Liverpool, where nearly one in five respondents noted the conditions - more than double the rate in West Berkshire.

The results of the survey, conducted between January and March last year, also showed significant differences according to the background of the respondent, with those from more deprived areas more likely to report anxiety or depression.

Mr Buckley said that the reasons for regional variations were unclear.

He added: “We do know that there are links between, for example, deprivation and mental wellbeing, so it may be that prevalence is genuinely higher in certain areas. On the other hand, more positively, it may be that in some places there is greater awareness that you can get some support from your GP for your mental health.

“Symptoms of mental health problems vary from person to person, but if you’re experiencing depression you might feeling low, numb, worthless or without hope. Everyone experiences good days and bad days but if the feelings don’t go away after a couple of weeks or keep returning, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing a common mental health problem like depression or an anxiety disorder.”

For help and advice, visit your GP who can talk to you about how you have been feeling and explain the services that are available to you.

The Let’s Talk service runs a number of free courses across Herefordshire and Gloucestershire for people aged 18 and over, which can help with different aspects of your mental health. Appointments are primarily over the phone, but some face-to-face appointments are available.

You can complete the online self referral form to utilise the Let’s Talk service. To find out more, call 0800 073 2200 or visit https://www.talk2gether.nhs.uk/

The CLD Trust, based in Hereford, also offer a variety of free counselling for young people, including brief sessional therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), solution focused therapy, specialist substance misuse and art therapy. They are sometimes able to offer free sessions for adults. To find out more, call 01432 269245 or email: [email protected]

The Strong Young Minds (SYM) is a Big Lottery funded project designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Herefordshire. The SYM Project is for young people (10 - 24 years), offering one-to-one support and a referral service. Call 01432 269245, email [email protected] or visit the website https://www.thesymproject.org/

However, if you need immediate support, and would like to speak to someone about anything that is troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue, the Samaritans are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call them for free on 116 123, or email: [email protected]

This year the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye is supporting Papyrus as his chosen charity. Papyrus is a national charity which is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide in the UK.

For suicide prevention advice, call 0800 068 4141 or visit the website: www.papyrus-uk.org