'World Mental Health Day': Hundreds take the plunge in Penarth sea swim
Hundreds of people joined together at Penarth Seafront for a sunrise swim to mark World Mental Health Day.
It was organised by Penarth swim group, The Dawnstalkers and members from the mental health charity, the Jacob Abraham Foundation along with the RNLI.
Around 300 men, women and children all took part in the sunrise swim, which took place opposite the RNLI lifeboat station.
World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
Many were there to remember loved ones who have died from suicide or in support of those affected.
Samaritans' latest statistics show suicide figures are rising every year.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "There were 5,691 suicides in England and Wales in 2019. This is an increase of 321 compared to 2018. And there is a rising suicide rate in under 25-year-olds."
Others were there to reflect on their own mental health.
In a social media post The Dawnstalkers wrote, "On this occasion, The Jacob Abraham Foundation and RNLI Penarth Lifeboat Station join our daily morning dip to celebrate nature and what the sea did for so many of us."
"It was there when we needed to reconnect with ourselves, it helped us to refocus on what is important in life: Mindfulness. Calmness. Mental Health.
"Let's raise awareness for one of the most important things that we have: our mental health."