AN AMATEUR actress who has battled with depression for eight years is putting on a charity cabaret evening in Kilbrnie to raise awareness of mental health.

Sara Goold, of Glengarnock, is holding Music for the Mind in Garnock Community Social Club on Saturday, June 4.

The 27-year-old was spurred on to fundraise for mental health charities by the incredible response she received after posting a a Facebook message about her illness.

Sara, who works for Boots, told the Herald: “I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety since I was 19 and I want to break down the stigma of it.

“I put up a Facebook post about two or three months ago that basically said if I’m ever funny with you, then this is why and I explained that I had depression.

“The response was incredible. The number of people that messaged me privately – people that I hadn’t spoken to for years – just to say they thought I was really brave or to tell me that they’d suffered too was unbelievable.

“It gave me a feeling of empowerment and I wanted to use that to do something so I got in touch with some charities.”

Music for the Mind will raise funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), as well as several smaller mental health charities. Sara is keen to point out that the cabaret will be a relaxed night and that representatives from some of the charities will be in attendance for advice.

She said: “I do amateur dramatics so I’ll be singing a couple of songs and lots of my friends from Kilbirnie and Johnstone will be taking part.

“The primary charity is SAMH – that’s where the majority of the money will go towards, but I’ve also been in touch with Penumbra in Ardrossan, Breathing Space, See Me Scotland and Little Box of Distractions. “.

Music for the Mind is at Garnock Community Social Club on Saturday, June 4 from 7pm until late. Tickets are £10 and include all the entertainment and a buffet. There will be a DJ after about 10pm.

For tickets, email Sara on saragoold88@yahoo.co.uk.