DEBT can be more than just a financial problem and being in the red can make a lot of people feel blue.

But as part of MIND Awareness Week, Chad's annual charity is calling for better support and services to help those with money worries.

Throughout this week MIND is highlighting the need for improved support by financial service companies, banks and local authority collection departments for people with mental health problems and debt difficulties.

Recent research by the charity has revealed that debt can have a serious impact on a person's mental health in terms of anxiety, stress, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts as well as adding to wider social exclusion problems.

And Central Notts MIND will be getting behind the charity's national campaign by encouraging those feeling depressed as a result of debt to seek help at their Mansfield, Sutton and Kirkby centres.

As well as promoting MIND's annual campaign – 'In the red: debt and mental health' – the awareness week, which runs until Sunday, is an opportunity for Central Notts MIND to inform people of what it does and who it supports.

And to help spread the message, Central Notts MIND's Mansfield activity centre will be hosting a number of events to encourage passers-by to drop in for chat and find out more about what the charity does and how it could benefit them.

On Wednesday Central Notts MIND users will be putting on an art exhibition of their work for people to view between 9.30am-4.30pm and on Friday there will be a jumble sale and cake stall with all proceeds raised going to the charity.

Girish Ravat, Central Notts MIND general manager, says the awareness week is a good opportunity for anyone wanting to seek help to take the first steps.

"The awareness week is all about promoting the charity and encouraging people to get the help they need," said Girish.

"People may feel it is difficult to get help but by just popping into the activity centres this week they will see how relaxing and welcoming the atmosphere is and can begin to find out how MIND can help them."

Anyone interested in becoming a Central Notts MIND volunteer or trustee or who would like to organise a charity event or make a donation to Central Notts MIND should contact Girish on Mansfield 658044.