A MENTAL health champion who set up a support service in his twin brother’s memory was invited to meet the Prime Minister.

Harry Watkins attended 10 Downing Street yesterday having previously been congratulated for his work by PM Theresa May.

It came as Mrs May announced Jackie Doyle-Price had been appointed as Minister for Suicide Prevention.

Ministers and officials from more than 50 countries also assembled in London yesterday for a summit to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

The government has also promised more support in schools, bringing in new mental health support teams and offering help in measuring students’ health, including their mental wellbeing.

Harry, 23, set up Chat with Charlie at Essex University’s Wivenhoe campus after his twin brother Charlie took his own life in March last year. He was 22.

Chat with Charlie is an online mental health support service for students.

Harry said: “This is a great step forward for the foundation and I am thrilled that we have been recognised by the Prime Minister twice in a month.

“This shows the foundation has a lot of momentum at the moment and it is something I want to hone and build upon.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support. The commitment from people fundraising, volunteering and promoting the foundation has got us to where we are now and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Harry also welcomed the news of the new Suicide Prevention Minister.

“It is a big step and hopefully one which will create an open conversation between Government and organisations like our own, to explore what can be done to prevent more people taking their lives.”

“Even though there are reports of declining figures in suicide, this does not take into consideration the staggering amounts of people still suffering from issues with their mental health.

“These figures show the risk of what could be and we need to ensure that together, we do all we can to support those who are suffering. There is a long way to go, but I am optimistic that this is a step in the right direction.”

Mrs May previously honoured Harry with a Points of Light award for his inspiring work which has also seen him create the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

Charlie, from Colchester, had been studying at York University.

He appeared on the dating show Take Me Out in a bid to find love.

However, he took his own life leaving his family devastated.

After being trialled, Chat with Charlie is now available seven days a week instead of just three.

It is a joint enterprise run by the Charlie Watkins Foundation, Mind and Essex University.

James McQuiggan, chief executive of Mid and North East Essex Mind, said: “We’re ecstatic that Chat with Charlie has been such a success and we are immensely proud to be a part of the team behind it.

“Being away from home for the first time can be particularly daunting for students and we hope this platform can provide some comfort while they are doing their studies.”

Angela Jones, head of student support at the university, said: “Chat with Charlie has been an excellent addition to the services we already have to support students. “It was launched here because Charlie was from Essex, but it would be great to see it extended to universities across the country so they can benefit too.”

Colchester United star Luke Prosser also helped to highlight World Mental Health Day yesterday when took part in a live exhibit at King’s Cross Station.

Highlighting that one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year, Prosser and three other players each posed as footballers with visible and invisible health problems.

Chat with Charlie is at mnessexmind.org/chat-with-charlie/.