Poppyscotland is to host an open day at its Ayrshire Welfare Centre.

The aim is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and to promote the mental health support services available to the armed forces community in the area.

The event on Thursday from 11am to 3pm will bring people together in an informal setting to meet with specialist providers.

It will also host Veterans First Point, Combat Stress, NHS 24 and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Poppyscotland CEO Mark Bibbey said: "The rigors of conflict and the wider demands on our Armed Forces, together with the challenging transition from the military to civilian life, can have a significant impact on the long term mental health of veterans and their families.

"Mental health problems in our Armed Forces community take many different forms with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and social isolation being the most high profile.

"Such issues can be incredibly debilitating for the sufferer, and often close family and friends bear the brunt of the condition, too.

"With the right treatment, those who experience mental health issues can learn to successfully live with and manage them, and that is why Poppyscotland places such value in providing help through events such as our forthcoming open day."