If you are reading this it means you have a brain and therefore a mental health.

Eastern Daily Press: EDP editor, Dave Powles, with Natasha Devon, guest editor for the mental health take over of the EDP. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYEDP editor, Dave Powles, with Natasha Devon, guest editor for the mental health take over of the EDP. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

So often, we confine any discussion of mental health to the one in four people who will statistically experience mental illness during their lifetime, waiting until the symptoms of poor mental health arise before we give the subject any consideration.

Yet the truth is this is a topic that's universally relevant, not just because everyone exists somewhere on the spectrum of mental fitness, whether theirs is excellent, average or poor, but because, whether you're aware of it or not, you definitely know someone who is struggling.

Whether it's our friends, family or colleagues, we're all responsible for building a society in which people can talk about and seek help for their mental health without judgment.

There are lots of reasons I agreed to guest edit the EDP today. As someone who has a mental illness, I'm always looking for opportunities to smash stigma. As a campaigner and writer, I'm often frustrated by the ways the media can perpetuate unhelpful stereotypes.

That's why you won't find any 'head clutcher' pictures on the pages that follow, any mention of someone 'committing' suicide (it's not a crime to take your own life and hasn't been since 1961 in the UK) or anything that people who are currently experiencing mental health difficulties might find triggering.

I also have a special relationship with Norfolk, both personally and professionally. My work in education and campus wellbeing has taken me to UEA, where my brother has just finished studying for his degree in maths. I know and hugely admire local MP Norman Lamb, who is tireless in his work to raise profile and parity for mental health issues. My Nan, aunt and cousin also live here and some of my fondest memories are of holidays in this beautiful county.

I know Norfolk and Suffolk struggle with mental health provision and, of course, we must never stop fighting for people to receive expedient access to the help they need. But I wanted to use these pages to shine a light on the often-untold stories of recovery and hope.

You are not alone.