MORE must be done to change the "cultural stigma" of discussing personal feelings, a Glasgow-based charity has warned.

It comes after a study found more than 40% of Scots find their own mental health the most difficult subject to discuss.

Money worries came second in the poll, which was carried out by the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

The majority of people quizzed (58%) said they had confided in a friend, with mums the second most popular choice of confidant (31%) from the list followed by a colleague (19%) and sister (18%).

Breakfast TV host Lorraine Kelly was named the Scots celebrity most people would open up to or confide in (24%), ahead of Billy Connolly (7%) and Annie Lennox (6%).

The survey was carried out by YouGov on behalf of SAMH to mark the beginning of a new campaign -Open Up - which is designed to encourage people to open up and talk about their mental health and wellbeing.

Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH, said: "There is a cultural struggle in Scotland with the 'stigma' attached to discussing how you feel.

"We must change this. By talking, people can form coping mechanisms and effectively approach problems.

"Our campaign is encouraging people to take action, building the confidence which will help them talk about what is bothering them.

"We need everyone to start their conversation today."

More than two thirds of Scots questioned (68%) said that they prefer to discuss their problems face to face with someone rather than in a letter (2%) or email (5%), or a personal diary or journal (4%).

The charity's 'Two Too Many' campaign, last year, highlighted the shocking fact that two people in Scotland die each day by killing themselves.

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk