A mental health support group for people in Mansfield aged 16-25 wants the community to know it is here to help.

The group offers free counselling and one-to-one support as well as weekly meetings.

The Under 25s Mental Health Support Group was formed two years ago after it was discovered there was a gap in mental health services for young people in the area.

One of its founders won a Mansfield Volunteer Award for her work to launch the group and win initial funding.

The award praised her for showing that “people living with mental health difficulties are a valued and fully functioning part of the community.”

The group now meets every Tuesday at Mansfield Library from 3.30pm-5pm. It is run by British Association for
Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)-qualified counsellors.

Volunteers include A2 and A-Level psychology students and peer mentors with personal experience in dealing with mental health issues.

A spokesman said: “We are a group of people who are passionate about providing a safe, welcoming, warm, respectful space and confidentiality for young people to address their feelings and issues in a group counselling setting.

“We support young people living with stress, including exam stress.

“We help those with worries, who cannot cope and who have low self-esteem.

“Depression, bullying, anxiety and anger are some of the issues we offer support with.“

Anyone wanting to contact the group about getting support should email [email protected]