A former Mayoress of Deal is launching a new daytime support group for people with mental health problems just weeks after she was recognised for her good work in the town.

Tracy Carr, 54, of Langton Close, Deal, was invited to Parliament, last Tuesday, where she was one of only 30 people in the country to be awarded a certificate by the Secretary of State for public health Jane Ellison.

She had been nominated by Deal and Dover MP Charlie Elphicke who felt she was worthy of recognition after setting up Talk It Out – a support group for people with mental illness and depression.

Mrs Carr said: “I’d like to thank Charlie for nominating me. It was so nice to meet other people who were trying to make a difference in their towns.”

Mrs Carr founded Talk It Out alongside Maureen Stokes and Sharon Hogben in September 2011.

She now runs it with help from a retired psychotherapist, Marie Jordan, and Ian Roe. It is held every Thursday from 6.15pm until 8.30pm at the back of St George’s Church in the High Street.

She has previously spoken out about the shocking lack of provision for people with mental health issues. She told the Mercury in May that she felt her support group was doing the job of the health services because of a lack of resources in Kent.

She is now launching a new daytime group which will be upstairs in the Bohemian in Beach Street from 11am until 1pm every Monday. It starts tomorrow.

Porchlight are also involved and refreshments will be available.

Mrs Carr said: “I asked people in my group what they wanted and lots of them replied saying a day group.

“I asked around a few places in Deal to see if anywhere could have us and Buzz at the Bohemian has very kindly offered his premises upstairs.”

She added: “I do feel Deal dips out big time and I’m now hoping things are going to get better.”

The group is free and open to anyone with any kind of anxiety or mental illness.