Mum of three Helen Klimkowicz did her best to help as a teenage relative struggled with depression.

It made her realise how little support is available for parents and adult relatives who have to deal with the condition and decided to set up her own group which meets for the first time tonight (Monday).

Mrs Klimkowicz, 45, a teaching assistant who lives in Chatham, hopes the group will be somewhere people can meet and and share their experiences.

She said: “Any parent who has a child going through the ordeal of childhood depression will know the feeling of losing their own mind.

“We are finding that children are getting younger and younger when they are diagnosed with mental health issues, depression and anxiety, stress which can lead to self-harm and more.

“It (depression) has a profound effect on other family members and our worlds fell apart when we didn’t know what to do about it or how to deal with it.

“There is no right or wrong way, you have to take each day as it comes but sometimes you do feel in such a desperate situation.

“I just feel sharing my experience with others will help as parents need support too. I would urge any parent who is in a similar situation to come along.”

The group will meet for the first time at Fort Pitt Grammar School, Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham, 6pm to 7.30pm. Mrs Klimkowicz will then run the meetings on the last Monday of the month excluding bank holidays.

BLOB: To find out more call 07487 594926 or email helen.k.teaandchat@hotmail.com