A CAMPAIGN tackling the stigma attached to mental health and learning problems is being launched today.

Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust is launching the Open Up campaign to highlight the discrimination suffered by those with such problems.

It comes after a survey found that while mental health problems affect one in four adults and one in five young people, employers would rather employ someone with a criminal record.

As part of the campaign, people living in Easington, in east Durham, Teesside and north-east Yorkshire are being offered the chance to enjoy a photographic exhibition.

The 1 in 4 exhibition features famous people such as comedian Paul Merton and actress Patsy Palmer, along with ordinary people, all sharing their experiences of mental illness.

It will be shown alongside artwork produced by local people with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

The public can see it at East Durham and Houghall Community College, in Peterlee, throughout March; Middlesbrough College's Kirby campus and Brackenhoe West Building, on the Marton campus, during April; and the Coliseum and town library in Whitby, during May.

Moira Britton, trust chief executive, who will launch the campaign with patient and carer representatives, said: "As a specialist mental health and learning disabilities trust, we have a duty to tackle stigma and discrimination.

"We hope that our Open Up campaign will help people understand more about these areas of health."