Ways of removing the stigma some people associate with mental illness are being discussed at a conferenece in Sunderland on Thursday.

The event will demonstrate to health professionals, employers and others the need to tackle the prejudice experienced by those who have suffered mental illness.

It has been organised by Bill Craggs of the Sunderland self-help group Headlight, who is also financial director of the UK Federation of Smaller Mental Health Agencies.

He said: "During a person's lifetime they may go through a bad patch, such as a death in the family or divorce, which may contribute to mental health problems.

'Positive image'

"But that does not mean that people can nor recover, with the help of other people.

"All we are asking is to be treated by people as they would like to be treated."

Alan Hall, chief executive of the South Of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust, said: "One in four people will experience mental health problems in their life, yet there is a general lack of awareness about mental illness.

"We have got to promote a more positive image, it can affect anyone, including some very talented people.

"That is why we go into schools, and why we would like to see people across the board, including employers, becoming more aware."

He said that one in two mentally ill people had been physically or verbally abused at some time.