Mental health charities have taken action to combat the stigmatisation of people with mental health problems after The Sun's treatment of former boxer Frank Bruno who was sectioned last week.

The Sun reported the news of his detention under the Mental Health Act with the headline "Bonkers Bruno locked up", but later changed it after widespread condemnation to "Sad Bruno in mental home".

The following day it launched a fund for the former heavyweight champion.

Rethink chief executive Cliff Prior called the newspaper's treatment of Bruno "shameful", but said the public's response had been "heartwarming". The charity is now urging a government-funded national campaign to fight the discrimination faced by the 630,000 people with a severe mental illness.

Mind's chief executive, Richard Brook, has written to The Sun's editor, Rebekah Wade, urging a long-term improvement in the newspaper's coverage of mental health issues.