AS May comes to an end, so does Mental Health Awareness Month.

A Bude-based mental health activist has reflected on the month, and how her efforts to help those in her community have progressed through the increasingly popular group, Kilk Clear Minds.

Katie Brind, from Bude, jointly set up the mental health group, Kilk Clear Minds, with two other Bude-based residents, to address the increasing demand for support surrounding mental health. The group started at the end of January, and Katie has said it is going ‘really well’. “We have recently expanded to Bude and have members all over North Devon and Cornwall who attend,” she said.

The group run coffee mornings at Bude Golf Club on a Tuesday and Fryers Tea Room, Kilkhampton, on a Thursday, both from 10.30am to 12pm. They run workshops and also meet on the second Monday of the month where they host speakers and activities at the fellowship rooms, Kilkhampton from 7pm to 8.30pm. Since their establishment, Kilk Clear Minds now have over 600 followers and an increasing number of people attending their meetings.

Katie said: “I wanted to create this group as all three of us that run the group have suffered with various mental health conditions. There is a lack of services in the South West, especially in Cornwall. The waiting lists are extremely long.

“There is huge benefit from peer support groups. We provide a confidential, safe place where people can openly discuss their own struggles without judgement and with support. It’s a great place to make new friends and learn new skills.”

As part of mental health awareness month, which ran throughout May nationally, Kilk Clear Minds have been setting daily challenges for people to engage in. “We have recorded videos about our own mental health struggles and talked about particular mental health conditions,” Katie continued. “We have also been out in the local community giving out flowers to brighten people’s day and to get people talking about mental health and raising awareness. We had a fantastically positive response.

“It is extremely vital that we talk about our own mental health. We need to look after our minds as much as our bodies. By raising awareness and having open, frank discussions, it is of huge benefit. It needs to become part of daily life, talking about our mental health and wellbeing.

“If everyone talks about it like we do our washing, jobs or children, it becomes part of daily conversation. It becomes the norm to talk and therefore the stigma lessens.”

Katie believes more people would be willing to reach out for help or support if there wasn’t such a huge stigma surrounding mental health. “They don’t (come forward) because they are scared of being judged, laughed at or misunderstood. Too many people suffer in silence and take their own lives.

“We don’t want anyone to feel alone or suffer in silence. Kilk Clear Minds urges you to see your GP, phone a helpline or contact us if you would like help, somewhere to turn to or advice on what to do next.”

Katie added: “I have come through the other side and so can you. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we would like to help you find it.”

Kilk Clear Minds are available to contact directly for advice, support or more information on their coffee mornings and workshops. Like their Facebook page, Kilk Clear Minds, for further details.