Mental health awareness week is a hugely important one across the UK, as millions of people from every part of society take part.

This year, it runs from May 13 until May 19, and is challenging people to move more to help improve their mental health.

But it was only first introduced in 2001, and it is perhaps fair to say that being open and honest about mental illnesses and struggles is a relatively recent thing.

However, one Carlisle charity has been supporting people in Cumbria's mental health since 1984, and this year is marking its 40th year of helping people in the area.

PAC is a registered charity based in Carlisle, Cumbria that provides free counselling and therapy for children and young people.

The sessions are confidential and held weekly at PAC’s offices in Carlisle city centre and the amount of therapy sessions will vary based on the client’s needs.

Jenna Sutherland, development manager, said: "We currently hold 64 therapy and counselling spaces a week for children and young people in our area and these spaces are all full with a waiting list. Our therapy sessions include art, psychotherapy, music therapy and talk counselling which provide positive outcomes for children and young people who are experiencing emotional, interpersonal and mental health issues.

"We would like to increase the amount of spaces we have available to help us to meet current demand. We are calling on our community and local businesses to help with fundraisers or sponsorship to mark our 40 year anniversary this year and help us to continue to provide this crucial care for our children and young people."

PAC relies on donations from a variety of sources to enable it to continue to provide counselling and therapy free of charge to any young person in Cumbria who is experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties.

The charity's official 40th anniversary date is on November 16 and events will be held at its building on Lowther Street in the Autumn to coincide with that.

Anyone interested in fundraising for the charity can get involved by emailing jenna.sutherland@pac-therapy.org.