NEW help is on offer to people in South Craven battling with depression and mental health issues.

A peer support group has been launched, offering a free and confidential service.

Anyone over 18 is able to obtain help.

The initiative is backed by national charity PeerTalk, which already runs a network of peer support groups across the country.

Each is led by fully-qualified volunteers.

The new group is based at Skipton, but serves the whole of Craven.

Rosa Trelfa, for PeerTalk, says the venture offers “a safe place for people to share, offload and be heard”.

She added: “Research tells us that one in four people experience mental health difficulties in their lives.

“Depression is a very common condition. Any of us, irrespective of age, gender or background, can be affected at some point in our lives. And the isolation and suffering that comes with depression can be hard to bear as the stigma around it prevents people from seeking support.

“The strength of these peer support groups lies in the fact that the help offered comes from others who have a lived experience of depression – they understand, will not judge and can offer help from their own experience.

“There is a growing body of research looking into the effect of peer support in the field of mental health.

“Research has shown that peer support groups can lead to an improvement in psychiatric symptoms, enhanced self-esteem and better social functioning.

“The research is ongoing, but the signs are good.

“As a society it seems that we’re not sure how to respond to mental health.

“Attitudes are slowly changing as mental health awareness is increasing thanks to the royal family and other celebrities’ support – and that’s great – but there’s still much work to do.

“At PeerTalk we recognise the need to share, and to create the space where people will be heard and accepted and know that it’s OK not to be OK. In this way, people who live with depression can find a path through it – with support – and manage their mental health positively.

“The groups are friendly, non-clinical and non-judgemental gatherings, with laughter along the way as well as careful listening and abundant support.

“We encourage people to have a chat with their friends and family about mental health.”

The new group meets at The Hub, in Skipton Town Hall, every Monday between 7.30pm and 9pm.

People can just turn-up – there’s no need to register in advance or make an appointment.

For more details, visit peertalk.org.uk/index.php/support-groups.