THE spectres of suicide, depression, and addiction have left their mark on the Three Towns – particularly in recent years.

But members of a mental health support group based in Stevenston are determined to do all they can to help others work through their problems.

Let’s Save Lives was formed last year in the wake of a number of high profile and tragic suicides in the area.

It’s all about ordinary folk who have faced such issues helping others through the turmoil of their lives – and ending the stigma often attached to mental health problems.

With access to counsellors for those who need them most, the group has provided invaluable help to those facing problems such as depression, anxiety, bereavement and addictions – be they alcohol drugs or gambling related – as well as relatives of those affected.

The group meet weekly, from 7-9pm each Wednesday in the Hayocks Community Hall – and welcome people from all over the Three Towns and beyond.

Alan Beattie, chairman and founder of the group, told the Herald: “With all the tragedies still happening, we know this group is really needed.

“We are not professionals but we have walked in your shoes. We are all helping each other.”

Subscribe to the Ardrossan Herald HERE

Explaining why he founded the group, he revealed:  “A couple of close friends took their own lives, one in December 2021, then a great friend took his own life in May last year. Then there was Shirley Morgan, who was so well known and well loved in the town.

“I knew them all and decided I had to do something to stop this.

“I got leaflets and went round Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and got them put up in shop windows.  All the shop owners were very happy to oblige.

“We then got the premises in Hayocks Community Centre, with the first six months rent free."

Alan continued:  “Our first night was in June last year and we had 25 people turn up which was great.

“We are still going strong after 10 months. We have a core of about 20 people every week.

“It is a very open group and everyone is welcome. There’s a small town mentality around, where people might not seek help because they think ‘what if someone knows me?’  People are scared to make the first step. We need to get past that.”

He added: “We have access to professional counsellors if people need them, thanks to the charity Beautiful Inside and Out. We have helped 10 people to get counselling since we started.

“We get new people in and out all the time.

“We have been out and about at various events to publicise the group, including the Christmas lights switch-on.

"We are getting a banner up at the Ardeer Thistle ground and hopefully the Winton Rovers fete and the Highland games too.

“We deal with depression, anxiety, bereavement and addictions – alcohol drugs or gambling.

“We have had some funding and we are trying to get an in-house counsellor and are putting a couple of people through training for that.

“Everyone is welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat. We have guest speakers sometimes, giving presentations, such as Beautiful Inside and Out.

“We have had people who have been at rock bottom, then come out the other end of it, come to the group and tell their own stories, which have really helped the group out. We need more people like that.

“There are other help groups, such as Time to Talk which meets in Ardrossan. We have people coming from Kilwinning and Beith as well as the Three Towns.”

The members of the group can’t praise it enough.

One regular attendee, who lost a close family member to suicide, said: “We couldn’t get counselling. It was a two year waiting list.

“After I came here within two or three weeks I received a counselling session from Pauline at Beautiful Inside and Out. She has been fantastic.

“Coming to this group does cheer me up. With the people here and the support, you can come in the worst mood and leave laughing.”

North Ayrshire councillor John Sweeney has been an active supporter of the group since it began and regularly attends the meetings.

He said: “We are getting a core of around 25 people. We have had people come in for 6-8 weeks without saying a word, just listening to the others. That’s absolutely fine.

"Then they will say they want to tell their story tonight. They listen… and then they are ready so speak.”

Sign up to the Ardrossan Herald's Newsletter HERE

One member said: “I don’t need to come back these days… but I want to. I like the people here and it is good banter.”

Alan added: “We are a safe space. No one repeats the stories outside. Private stuff never leaves the group.

 “If you have a problem, most of us will be able to cover that problem. It is sometimes better to talk to someone who has had that problem than talk to a counsellor. We are seeing some real life successes.

“Outside the meetings, we also have a Facebook group. If someone needs help, a member will respond quickly.

“The group is working well, but we want it to work more. We want new faces coming in, until they don’t need to any more.”