Southend chart-toppers Nothing But Thieves are set to perform a special show in support of World Mental Health Day.

The five former students at Westcliff High School for Boys have become ambassadors for the #IAMWHOLE mental health awareness campaign.

Their show will be at top of London’s BT Tower next Tuesday, October 10.

Singer Conor Mason said: “Mental health affects us all just as physical health does. “Just because we cannot see what is in someone’s head, does not mean it is not happening.

“This is something that has been a big part of my life and has affected me and many around me.

“We need to change the way we talk about people experiencing mental health difficulties.

“It is very, very real.”

This year, the campaign is “focused on the effects and frequency of harmful language, and what we can all do to combat this”.

The exclusive acoustic show will be the first action from the band as ambassadors for the campaign, which will be a joint initiative between the NHS and YMCA.

Denise Hatton, chief executive for YMCA England and Wales, added: “Our campaign speaks directly to young people - we want them to know that they are not alone and that they shouldn’t be ashamed to speak about and seek help for mental health difficulties.”

Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, World YMCA Secretary General, echoed Denise’ point.

He said: “Through our #IAMWHOLE campaign we are providing young people with a platform to speak out on the biggest health issue affecting them right now.

“Our very own ‘One Million Voices’ research found that more than a third of young people are lacking the information they want and need on mental health.”

YMCA has released a set of options that supporters can choose to commemorate the day.

The group will be releasing a group statement from all the YMCA’s supporters to help remove the stigma of mental health within Britain today.

Supporters are welcomed to paint a self-portrait, write a poem, record a song or produce something creative that expresses an emotion such as smiling, laughing, crying, sadness.

Nothing But Thieves’ performance at the BT Tower will act as a centrepiece for the day that YMCA hopes will encourage more people to speak out on mental health.

The band will also be unveiling a new orchestral version of the title track of their second album, Broken Machine on the same day complete with a brand new video.