FORMER Saturdays star Frankie Bridge joined with a local charity to give a talk on mental health in Oxford today.

The event, hosted by Blackwell's in Broad Street and in association with Elmore Community Services, was held following Time to Talk Day yesterday.

Singer and presenter Ms Bridge held a conversation on her new book Open: Why Asking for Help Can Save Your Life, which was published for the first time this week.

Oxford Mail:

Ms Bridge became an ambassador for Mind after opening up about her experiences of anxiety, depression and panic attacks, after her hospitalisation in May 2012.

She was joined by Tom Hayes, CEO of Elmore Community Services, an Oxfordshire charity helping people with complex needs, including mental health issues.

He said: “It was fantastic to interview Frankie on behalf of Elmore, a service which supports local people to know and understand their mental health.

Oxford Mail:

"That was exactly the subject of Frankie’s amazing talk—how it’s so important to talk about mental health—what she calls sunshine and showers—and why getting help changes lives. "Frankie has been a pop star of ten years, singing in two mega bands, but it was especially fascinating to hear her say that, behind all the fame and success, she‘s struggled with mental ill health since childhood.

"Mental ill health can happen to anyone at any time in their life and recovery is possible, given the right support.”