More help offered by mental health group

NEW weekly women-only drop-in session focused on helping with mental health issues start in Inverness this Saturday.

Serenity – a peer support group for women who show traits or who have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) – will run the sessions at the Church of God Pentecostal from noon to 2pm.

Each gathering is designed to be an opportunity for women living with BPD and other mental health conditions to share their stories with like-minded women.

It is hoped they will enable those involved to feel more confident while reducing possible social isolation.

The idea has been triggered by Serenity founders Vivienne Mackie and Carlie Borthwick believing there was a need for additional support for women who could benefit from more mental health support.

They are confident the sessions will have a positive impact.

Mrs Mackie said: "There are good services available but we believe there was very much a demand for what we are doing."

Miss Borthwick and Mrs Mackie met via a mental health support group on Facebook.

They founded Serenity after a six-week trial period and the group attracted several members.

Miss Borthwick said: "I don’t think there is enough support for mental health in general. Peer support groups are important because they allow people to network and it helps them to feel like they are not alone."