A new online tool featuring the actor David Harewood has been launched to help prevent people with mental health problems from “reaching crisis stage”.

The platform JAAQ.co.uk (Just Ask A Question) is a free to use online tool offering immediate responses from mental health professionals and individuals living with mental health conditions.

The not-for-profit tool uses artificial intelligence and voice recognition so when a question is asked, video answers are given from world renowned consultants in their field.

Meanwhile, Harewood answers questions about living with psychosis and the site’s founder Danny Gray, who previously appeared on Dragon’s Den, answers questions about body dysmorphia.

Harewood has spoken publicly about living with psychosis.

In the new tool, he talks openly about the condition, what it is like to be sectioned and how people can support someone living with psychosis.

It is aimed at preventing them reaching that crisis stage.

Mr Gray has lived with body dysmorphia for more than 20 years, and as a result founded make up brand War Paint for Men, which was backed on Dragons Den by Peter Jones and Tej Lalvani.

While the app is not a diagnostic tool, Mr Gray said he hoped that it would encourage people to seek support at an early stage.

“Our vision for JAAQ is to change the world of mental health, one question at a time,” he said.

“There’s lots of work being done with mental health at the moment around awareness, breaking down stigma and supporting people in crisis, but this is the first solution to provide expert information interactively for individuals and the people close to them from the very beginning of their journey, in order to encourage them to reach out for help and potentially prevent them reaching that crisis stage.

“This is the first solution to provide information support to individuals and the people close to them from the very beginning of their journey; it is aimed at preventing them reaching that crisis stage.

“We’re really proud of this platform and hope it is able to offer vital information to some of the millions out there who are waiting for help or have questions to ask about a loved one.”