A MENTAL health campaigner who appeared on a BBC One show has spoken of his pride after the programme picked up an award.

Jake Tyler, of Maldon, took part in Mind over Marathon which highlighted how exercise can benefit mental health.

And on Monday night he was on stage with the rest of the participants at the Mind Media Awards to be presented with the Speaking Out award by Prince Harry.

Jake said: "None of us who took part in the programme knew about the impact it was going to have so it's definitely something for us to be proud of.

"We all came into it with a story to tell and hopefully by sharing our experiences we've encouraged other people to come forward and seek some help.

"I've had so many people get in touch with me and tell me the things I've said in the programme connected with them."

Mind over Marathon aired on TV in April earlier this year and saw ten runners who had been affected by mental health issues train for the London Marathon.

The prestigious Speaking Out award is normally presented to just one winner but this year the judges chose to award it to all ten of the runners.

In a speech at the awards, Prince Harry spoke about the positive change in how mental health is approached and perceived in the UK over the past year.

Jake said: "It makes me sick to my stomach to say it but it's almost as if it's on trend and that usually means that something has a shelf-life.

"That can't be the case with mental health though because it's such an important issue.

"This has to be a turning point. "

Jake lived in Colchester in 2014 and played a part in setting up the popular bar Three Wise Monkeys in the town centre.

But having moved to East London in 2015 and begun work in a bar, he was diagnosed with depression.

He soon decided to return home to Maldon where he found countryside walks helped him in his recovery.

Having realised the benefit of exercise on his mental state, Jake set-up his ‘Take a Walk’ campaign which saw him walk 3,000 miles across the country in aid of the Mental Health Foundation.

While on the Cardiff leg of his journey, he was approached by a producer to take part in Mind over Marathon.

He is now focusing on completing his 3,000 mile walk and is currently in Inverness before he heads south again.

He said: "Once the walk is over I want to be involved in mental health in a professional role.

"Not as a psychiatrist but as a campaigner.

"I want to play a part in making sure mental health gets the attention it needs."