Paddy Barnes offers support to mental health awareness campaign

Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes has become Sport NI's first Wellbeing Ambassador.

The government body has teamed up with Public Health NI and the University of Ulster to launch a 5 year strategy to improve mental health and wellbeing for anyone involved in sport in Northern Ireland.

For Commonwealth and Olmypic medal winner Barnes, there was a very deeply personal reason to lend his support.

Back in 2009, his friend and Irish boxing teammate Darren Sutherland took his own life.

"It was a shock to the whole team, a shock to the whole Irish boxing community. Darren was a very outspoken, a very physically and mentally tough person. For something like this to happen to him, it shows you that it can happen to anyone," said Barnes.

As a result of dealing with the grief of losing his friend, Barnes is determined to encourage people who are suffering to reach out and ask for help.

"We need to get rid of the stigma that it's weak to talk, because that's not the case. People in the likes of Lifeline, and other mental health charities, it's their passion to help others," said Barnes.

The 31-year-old also opened up about his struggles with gambling addiction - which he overcame by talking to his then-fiancee and current wife Mari.

"I know not everyone can talk about these things. But for those who just need a wee bit of courage, I plead with you, to go and talk about any problems whatsoever."