A POSTER campaign to tackle public attitudes towards the mentally ill has been launched.

The poster challenges the use of slang words used to describe people with mental health problems.

It is being displayed across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield in GP surgeries, health centres, colleges and libraries.

The poster features a scrabble board showing words like `mental', `bonkers', `loony' `schizo' `nutter' and `psycho'.

It points out that the stigma surrounding people with mental health problems has a profound and damaging effect and makes it harder for them to admit they have a health problem.

This may prevent them receiving treatment.

The campaign by the South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust has been launched to coincide with World Mental Health Day, on October 10.

Judith Young, chief executive of the South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust said: "Language is very powerful and we all need to be aware that terms often used to describe people with mental health problems reinforce negative, and incorrect, stereotypes.

"This poster will hopefully make people stop and think about the language they use when talking about people with mental health problems."

One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

"It is therefore very important that we challenge the use of terms which make people feel like they have no value in our society," said Ms Young.

The South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust serves people with mental health problems and learning disabilities in the Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees areas, including services at St Luke's Hospital, Crosland Moor.