WILTSHIRE Council has received national recognition for in mental health.

The council was shortlisted for a National Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) award for health training it has commissioned to a range of county organisations.

In shortlisting for the awards, the MHFA identifies examples of excellent projects and individuals, acknowledging innovation and high performance in raising mental health awareness.

Maggie Rae, Wiltshire Council’s corporate director, said: “To be recognised for our commitment to raising awareness of mental health in Wiltshire demonstrates the good work we are doing.

“Thanks to the training that we have supported there is a much greater local understanding of mental health issues and how they can affect people in many different ways and the type of support they may require.”

Keith Humphries, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public health, said: “We want people in Wiltshire to have healthy high quality lives.

"This is underlined by our commitment to raising awareness of mental health issues across the county which means that more people get the right support when they need it.”

Odette Morris, a trainer who nominated the council, said: “We can’t thank public health enough for their continued support, especially when funds are not always readily available.”

It is the fifth year awards, including Standard MHFA training, Youth MHFA, Armed Forces MHFA, MHFA Lite and MHFA Workplace, have run.