More than 50 events including dance sessions and live theatre will help raise awareness during Epsom Mental Health Week.

A carnival on Sunday, October 10 - World Mental Health Day - will kick off the week’s activities, which will allow visitors to explore different ways they can look after their mental health and combat stress.

World record holder Ken Owen will launch the event with his eye-watering “bed of nails” demonstration, and a caribbean steel band, a bouncy castle and face painting will be at St Barnabas Church, in Temple Road, Epsom, between midday and 4pm.

Drama workshops, cooking lessons, a carer’s cafe and a human library - where visitors will be able to “borrow” a participant for 20 minutes to discuss their experience of mental health - will be some of the other activities during the week.

Organiser Reverend Susan Bull, a chaplain at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Mental illness can be a very isolating experience and yet it affects one in four people at some point during their lives.

“That’s why we’re celebrating World Mental Health Day with a week-long series of fun and inspiring events so that people can share their knowledge and experiences, encourage mental wellbeing and help break down stigma.”

For more information, visit www.epsommentalhealthweek.org.uk.