A MUM who set up a group to help parents whose children suffer from severe mental health issues says there is 'significant need for more support’ in Swindon.

Vicky Cammack founded In This Together Swindon to increase the support for parents and carers of children with issues from depression to suicidal thoughts.

Its volunteers have run a monthly support group at Mountford Manor Primary school since July last year. Participants give each other face-to-face support.

And they are now planning on introducing an evening group.

Vicky, whose 14-year-old daughter Shannon suffers from severe social anxiety, said: “There is a significant need for more support for parents and carers of children and young people who have mental difficulties.

“We as parents try our best to help and support our children and young people, but we are not mental health professionals. We can feel very overwhelmed, isolated and helpless.

“We do appreciate that our children’s mental health difficulties are not just solely a mental health professionals' responsibility or the schools, we are all equally responsible."

She added: “The staff at Mountford Manor really do go above and beyond for their students and their families.”

The group set up the evening group after receiving a £5,000 grant from Wiltshire Community Foundation last October. The sessions will include guest speakers and professionals who will discuss with parents and carers about how they can support their children and young people at home.

“Our first evening group is on March 30 at the Customer Service Hub at the Orbital and our first guest speaker is Josh Connolly who is a motivational speaker,” Vicky said.

“It's being ran by Sarah Webb, who is a mental health therapist.”

The group can be contacted on inthistogetherswindon@outlook.com on their Facebook page or on their website www.inthistogetherswindon.org.uk.