Emily hopes to help via page

A Spalding woman has launched a Facebook group in a bid to help others struggling with their mental health.

Emily Faulkner has launched Doorway to Acceptance after her own fight with depression.

The mum to Archie (2) and Sophia (5) wanted to pass on everything she’s gone through in a bid to help others.

“It’s just to show people they are not alone and it’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about,” she said. “I think it’s so important people do feel supported.

“I have suffered with depression my whole life, even as a child, but the depression become quite bad after the birth of my daughter when I was 19 years old.

“Because I was a young first time mum I felt quite judged by a lot of people and didn’t really have friends because obviously they were out partying and living a different life to me.

“I didn’t really talk about my depression because I thought people would see me as a young mum that can’t cope and the judgement would get worse after a few months.

“I spoke to my health visitor and from talking and letting it out I then started to feel better.

“But then in 2017 I lost my nan Patricia Faulkner who growing up was like a parent to me and the depression and anxiety was just incredibly bad.

“I couldn’t do day to day life, I was diagnosed with PTSD and had suicidal thoughts.

“It has taken a lot of work to get feeling the way I am now but I’ve received a lot of support from my partner, my family, the mental health charity Mind and the doctors.

“I’m now on antidepressants and able to live normally again so to speak.

“After what I’ve been through I just don’t want anyone to go through anything alone and to understand that’s it okay to feel the way you do and there’s so many other people out there going through the same things.”

Already Doorway to Acceptance has over 200 likes with people able to react with Emily and her regular posts.

“I’ve been so overwhelmed by everyone’s reactions,” Emily continued. “I’ve had so many lovely comments and messages and people have even started messaging me and opening up and telling me how they are feeling.

“It has made me feel so good that people are already feeling comfortable to message me and talk.”