A NEW mental health support group has opened in Southampton.

Rethink Mentall Illness offers help and advice for those caring for someone affected by mental illness.

The Rethink STePS (Stronger Together Peer Support) Carers Group will provide peer support, the chance to discuss coping strategies and share personal experiences of caring for someone with schizophrenia or depression.

The organisation runs 150 other groups across England and are led by people with a mental illness and their families and carers.

Run by Mary Charlton, the Southampton branch will meet the fourth Thursday of every month.

Mary has cared for her daughter full time for 15 years and said: “Caring for someone with a mental illness can be a difficult and isolating experience. My daughter has depersonalisation disorder. I have found it hard, especially while also working full-time, to find and access support when I needed it.

“I’m now retired, and noticing a gap in the support available for carers in Southampton, I wanted to set up this evening support group to provide a place where people caring for someone with a mental illness can come, receive peer support and make new friends within the community.”

The group will meet at 6:30-8:30pm in the Parlour Meeting Room, St James’ Methodist Church, St James Road, Shirley

For more information email is stepsgroup@rethink.org or call Mary on 07845 895692