The Walk of Hope aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health awareness

A walk to show support for those suffering with poor mental health will take place next month.

The Walk of Hope sees participants raise at the crack of dawn to take on a 5km early morning walk.

It is hosted by suicide and mental health charity Chris’s House, with more than 700 people expected to take across Scotland.

The charity’s founder Anne Rowan said poor mental health should not be perceived as weakness.

She said: "People often think if you have a mental ill health condition that you cannot recover from it and live a full well life which is not true.

“One in four people are treated for a mental health problem in their life. People threatening suicide are not attention seeking – we need to listen.”

In 2016, there was 728 suicides in Scotland compared to 672 in 2015, and suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20 – 49 in the United Kingdom.

One of the largest walks taking place sets off from the Glasgow Science Centre at 4am on 12 May, with a similar event leaving the Shawfair Park and Ride in Edinburgh at the same time. Full details of events are available online.