Hollywood Fitness in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, has started free mental health support for its members. The initiative follows the suicide of a member named Gary on St Patrick's Day.

Niall Hollywood, the gym owner, attended Gary's funeral with head coach Scott Adams the next Sunday. Hollywood then arranged for therapists to contact members periodically.

The therapists include Niall Heron, Gerard Doyle, Roisin McGrath and Louise Hunter. They receive free group personal training classes in exchange for checking on members' wellbeing.

Hollywood provides member details to the therapists. He covers the cost of a first counselling session for anyone needing further help.

Hollywood, a Greencastle native and father of three, has experienced depressive episodes and anxiety. He sought counselling from Niall Heron six weeks after first reaching out by email.

Hollywood encourages other gyms to implement similar arrangements. He describes the model as open source for the fitness industry.