A NATIONAL charity is urging Borderers to 'take time out' for mental health awareness week.

New figures from SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) show that 94 per cent of people think mental health is as or more important than physical health - yet around a quarter never take time to look after it.

And the charity is telling people to do something that benefits their wellbeing, such as spending time with family, exercising or listening to music.

Jo Anderson, Director of External Affairs at SAMH said: "We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health, and it’s important that we look after it.

"This Mental Health Awareness Week we want to get people thinking about their own mental health and the kind of things that improve it.

"Throughout the week we’ll be highlighting ideas and inspiration, and hope that people will get involved and share their own experiences."

SAMH’s Five Ways to Better Mental Health can be downloaded at: http://www.samh.org.uk/mental-health-information/five-ways-to-better-mental-health