A SOUTH Cumbrian mental health charity has highlighted its services including its online 'self-care toolbox'.

Self Harm Awareness for All (SAFA) worked with The Mail and The Westmorland Gazette, sponsored by Kimberly-Clark, as part of a commitment to platform mental health charities in the wake of Mental Health Awareness Week, to explain what services they offer.

Ian Burns, SAFA Chair, explained about what they do.

Mr Burns said: "We are a charity which operates all over South Cumbria, with bases in Barrow and Kendal.

"Self-harm is about more than just people who cut themselves. It can be alcohol abuse, drug abuse, overworking, over-exercising, all sorts of things."

Lois, who works with the charity but was previously a client, doubts she would be here without the help of SAFA.

She said: "I lost one of my best friends to suicide and it was a really difficult time.

"Everything was a mess.

"But working with SAFA I've done everything - art exhibitions, different things for the community to work together.

"I think 17-year-old me would be really proud of what I've achieved here."

The charity offers a 'self-care toolbox' with resources from self-care, to loneliness, to difficult relationships with food and more.

Lois said: "With Covid, we thought that we should do an online resource where we have tools, animations, videos, anything to give people strategies to help people get through what they're going through.

“It’s a 24 hour service, it’s just there.”

Mr Burns said: “That toolbox will reach people who wouldn’t normally think about it.

“They might be sat at home on their own, find it, and get help from people who have been through similar experiences.

"It’s frightening that 65% of our clients are 19 and under and nearly half are 15 and under. This is becoming more and more of an issue for more and more younger kids.

"There should be no stigma, if there is something going wrong, you need an intervention and SAFA is one of they key organisations who can help."

Lois finished: "The toolbox could be the first step to someone not ending their own life."