A CASTLEMILK metal health support group has advocated for more support for those in need, as they look back on work they've done in 2020.

LD- Let's Talk was created by Derek Reid, 36 from Castlemilk.

The group, which has been established for around one year, has helped people in the local community with mental health, even in lockdown.

Derek said: "The idea just came to me one day. Unfortunately, there was a loss in the community, someone that was very close to me, that was a result of mental health issues.

"When something like that happens it really touches base, and I woke up one morning and created the Facebook page."

LD - Let's Talk has helped over 1,000 followers get through a tough year with daily messages of positivity, videos and meetings.

Derek said: "When I first started the page, I think I was actually a little bit naive about how many people would get in touch and respond.

"With something like lockdown, our whole lives basically just stopped one day, and for people who were struggling that was a big deal.

"The page boomed over this time, so you could tell that people were affected by this.

"It also helped because we had some great footballers like Derek Ferguson, Simon Donnelly, Tom Boyd, Andy Goram and Derek Johnstone advertise the page and get the word out there.

"Having the backing of celebrities is great but it's important to remind folk that it's happening in their own community."

Although coronavirus restrictions limited the amount of work that Derek could do in person, he was able to keep support up with weekly support Zooms.

He said: "We have weekly support groups, as well as things like a Whatsapp group for people to get in touch.

"We encourage people to not only get to know us but to get to know each other too.

"It makes a massive difference when you're talking to someone who is going through something similar.

"They might not have the answer to the problem, but they are someone you can trust."

This is something which Derek says is key to opening up to people about any issues.

He said: "Finding someone you trust is something that people struggle with most, but if you find that person, confide in them.

"It doesn't seem like a lot but opening up is exactly what you might need."

LD - Let's Talk have also worked hard with outreach to local kids.

Derek, who runs his own footballing academy, Little Dynamos, said that the group was directly inspired by his work.

He said: "The name 'LD' comes from Little Dynamos, I wanted them to be properly linked to each other.

"It's important to me that kids are also aware that they can talk to people or their pals when they need to.

"We were able to fund for benches to be put into Castlemilk Primary, St Mirren Primary and the local high school too.

"They are like a friendship bench or a chatty bench, and the idea is that if any of the kids are wanting to chat to their friends or anyone, they can use these benches.

"Early intervention is a big factor in keeping mental health up to scratch in my opinion. I think with an older generation, it is harder to open up about these things because it was ingrained that we don't speak about that stuff from an early age.

"If we teach kids now that it's ok to open up and chat then when they are older they won't have the struggles that we see now."

To visit the LD - Let's Talk Facebook page, click here.