A NEW facility helping young people with mental health issues will open in Bridport in the New Year.

Mind in Somerset will be starting the new sessions following the success of similar projects they have set up in Chard, Langport and Frome.

Every other week, Mind will offer help to 11 to 18-year-olds and 18 to 24-year-olds from 6pm to 8pm.

From January 14, the facility will provide a safe, caring a simulating space for the young people at Bridport Youth and Community Centre and the two hour sessions will include group discussions, one to one discussions, games, cooking and eating together.

Run by professionals and volunteers, the project is a key part of the charity’s aim to improve mental health in the community and help young people in this time of crisis, with increasing numbers suffering from anxiety and depression.

The members attending the Chard group say they ‘receive helpful advice’ and ‘feel part of a family where no one is judged’.

Dr Michael Fernando, consultant paediatrician at Yeovil District Hospital, said: “Over the past few years, I have seen a significant increase in the number of children being admitted to hospital with issues affecting mental health, such as depression and eating disorders.”

Mickey Hickman, Mind in Somerset youth services coordinator, said: “Effectively, the group is for young people with anxiety and stress issues.

“This is a rolling programme of structured interventions and social interaction.

“We hope that local GPs and pastoral care teams in school will identify possible candidates in the first instance.”

There will be an open evening at Bridport Youth and Community Centre on Monday, January 7 at 6.30pm, with the first session for 18 to 24-year-olds starting on Monday, January 14 from 6pm to 8pm, and 11 to 18-year-olds on Monday, January 21 from 6pm to 8pm.