Mental health call sets new world record

Joanne Brent (centre), a senior adjudicator at Guinness World Records, presents certificates to staff from Think Cloud, Think Mental Health, Smith & Nephew and Hull College

A world record has been set after more than 1,400 people took part in a video call to tackle stigma around talking about mental health.

Staff and students from a college and businesses in Hull joined in the event to mark World Mental Health Day.

Guinness World Records confirmed they had broken the record for the most users in a mental health awareness video lesson.

Debra Gray, the principal of Hull College, said: "Mental health matters to all of us, and this initiative highlights how powerful collective action can be in creating positive change."

Paul Longley, the founder of Think Mental Health, a training provider that took park, said breaking the record on 10 October was a "proud moment".

"When we come together to talk about mental health, we break down barriers and show that no one has to face their struggles alone," he added.

Students from the college were also involved, alongside staff from Smith & Nephew, the medical technology company, and Think Cloud, an IT support firm.

Employees joined the call from offices around the world, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Italy, Germany and China.

There were 916 verified participants, with more than 1,400 involved at one point, surpassing the previous record of 770. Organisers said it offered a "shared moment of reflection, learning, and conversation".

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