A mental health charity has won £4,500 in funding to provide a new support group for women and girls across rural Dorset.

Women in Mind will be run by Dorset Mind for a year.

One in four adults are diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in their lives. According to a Mental Health Foundation Report, women particularly struggle with issues such as depression, self-harm anxiety, dementia, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women are also more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men - 29 per cent compared with 17 per cent of men.

The Department of Health and Social Care and Agenda also highlights that mental health is even more prevalent in younger women, with over a quarter, (26 per cent) experiencing a common mental disorder, such as anxiety or depression – almost three times more than young men (9.1 per cent).

CEO of Dorset Mind, Marianne Storey said: “In Dorset, we have many rural areas as part of our geographical layout which, due to location and lack of public transport, means many residents don’t have access to the support services for women and girls offered in Bournemouth for example. It’s our intention through this project to remove barriers to women receiving treatment and support for poor mental health across the whole of the Dorset conurbation.

“We intend to replicate our already successful Bournemouth Women in Mind mental health support group across more rural parts of North Dorset, with a view to supporting more women with mental health illnesses.”

Women in Mind is a female only peer-based discussion and support group giving women and girls the opportunity to talk about their feelings and their mental health in a safe and confidential environment. We also host workshops, education programmes and practical advice to help women and girls manage their mental health on a daily basis while supporting them towards full recovery.

For more information about the times and location of the new support group, which is due to start in summer, visit www.dorsetmind.uk