AN inviting sofa, comfortable cushions and a colourful lampshade – you wouldn’t normally expect to see a makeshift living room by Southampton’s Bargate.

Members of Solent Mind organised the event designed to get people talking about one of society’s last taboos – mental illness.

It is part of the lottery funded mental health anti-stigma Time to Change campaign, supported by the Daily Echo.

Throughout the day the public had a chance to sit on the sofa and talk to people who had experienced mental illness.

Visitors also had an opportunity to have a go at a myth and fact quiz to discover how much they knew about mental health.

Solent Mind’s community wellbeing manager Sheelagh Kreft said: “A generation ago people found it difficult to talk about cancer and many wouldn’t admit to being affected by it. Thankfully that’s changed.

“Now it’s time to break down the stigma surrounding mental health by being open and raising awareness of the facts.

“With one in four people experiencing mental ill health at some point in their lives, we have to recognise that this is an issue that affects us all.

“The sooner we do this, the sooner people with mental illness can get on with leading their normal lives.”

Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for running the county’s mental health services, is supporting the Time To Change campaign too.

The organisation said the campaign would help people with mental health needs and learning disabilities achieve the best quality of life possible.

Trust chief executive Nick Yeo said: “Being discriminated against on the basis of a mental illness can make a person feel isolated and excluded from day-to-day activities.

“It can prevent people from getting and keeping jobs, and prevent them from seeking help.

“The effects of stigma and discrimination can negatively impact physical health and, ultimately, they can delay and impair treatment and recovery.”

He added that everyone can play their part.

“By knowing someone with a mental health issue, you can simply be a friend, talk, and listen. Do not avoid or ignore the issues, as this can make things much worse.”