The leader of a mental health walking group believes that a county-wide rise in depression diagnoses could be positive.

Neil Pettifer, from St John's, has led the Men Walking and Talking group in Worcester for two and a half years.

He believes it could be a sign more people are looking for help and set up his group to try to beat the stigma around men's mental health.

Data released by the UK's Office for Health Improvement and Disparities states that 15.7 per cent of Worcestershire adults registered with a GP were diagnosed with depression in 2022-23 compared to 13.9 per cent of adults before the covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Pettifer said: "I would see the statistics positively in the sense that at least we have these figures now, where we didn't before - and they're getting more accurate too.

"People are more open to talking about their mental health and seeing a professional.

"So that could be behind the higher figures."

Men Walking and Talking is a mental health walk for men and now has chapters across the UK.

Mr Pettifer added: "Just after lockdown I was struggling a bit and I was looking for something.

"I found a Men Walking and Talking group in Stourport, but I don't drive, so I ultimately started a new chapter in Worcester."

The Worcester group meets at The Range car park in St John's each Thursday at 7.30pm.

Mr Pettifer added: "It was a bit awkward at first, meeting in a car park and going for a walk with strangers.

"But naturally, we started talking about all sorts, and after a few walks we got to the trickier stuff.

"There's a culture of not talking about our mental health, but maybe covid was a culture shock for some people."

Prior to starting the group, Neil had contacted his GP and tried anti-anxiety medication, but feels that Men Walking and Talking has had a bigger impact.

Mr Pettifer added: "There are guys on my walks who have become quite open about what they're thinking.

"They turn up for each other now.

"Some of the group has continued working from home since the covid-19 lockdown, and the week will go on and they'll realise they haven't been out of the house yet.

"So the walk gives them that break."