The Corn Exchange, Devizes, held host to a number of different charities all aimed at promoting World Mental Health day.

Wiltshire Mind, which has centres in Devizes, Salisbury, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Melksham and Malmesbury, offers information and advice as well as counselling to people who suffer from anxiety, low self esteem, emotional distress and more.

Cora Gallagher, Wiltshire Mind, said: “We are a social group where like minded people can come together for one on one counselling. We have meetings across Wiltshire and we do sign posting.

“We are an independent charity to rely on ourselves to raise the money. There has been a sponsored skydive and there will be a concert in Melksham on October 17.”

Zoe Millington, development outreach worker for Wiltshire and Swindon users’ network (WSUN), said:

“We work across Wiltshire, offering long term health care for people on the spectrum and people with mental health issues. It is an international day, falling on October 10 every year.

“We are putting a positive message out, letting people know there are services available and there is help to be offered.”

Among the stalls there was one dedicated to the support of people suffering from Huntington’s disease, a neurological disorder which is caused by a faulty gene on a chromosome, which affects movements, moods and the thinking process.

Ann Pathmanaban, specialist HD advisor of Huntington’s Disease Association, said: “I have been part of this for 13 years, covering Dorset and Wiltshire. We offer advice and support for anyone affected, be it someone suffering from Huntington’s or a family member or friend.

“We have 60 people in Wiltshire that are affect and another 400 at risk. Each child has a fifty per cent chance of inheritance, there is a test that can be taken at 18 to determine whether a person will suffer from it.”

Apart from illnesses that affect the brain, there were also other advice points to help with depression.

Daran Bailey, Mental Health First Aid, said: “We help people learn to spot the signs of self harm and suicide. We offer a two day course that will help to notice the signs if someone is harming themselves. We operate in 23 different countries.

“We have been visiting schools and talking to the sixth form students so if they notice any of the signs from friends or others around them, they know what to do.”