A mental health charity in West Belfast is continuing to appeal to those in need of support, to reach out.
West Wellbeing, based in the Dairyfarm Shopping Centre on the Stewartstown Road, first opened last year. Since then, they have been helping people with poor mental health from their office space which was transformed from a shell of a unit, to a welcoming space, free from judgement.
In recent weeks, Alix Magowan-Wlton, who works at West Wellbeing, has written up new programmes targeting young people.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Alix opened up about her own personal experience of mental health, having lost her grandad to suicide. Now she says she wants to be someone who can be trusted by the young people, and who can help them in their mental health journey.
The Banbridge woman said: "I am a mum of two daughter, one is a teenager and one is in primary school, so I am right in the thick of raising young people in this generation.
"I got into counselling and youth work through a passion that I had to help young people. I started in nursing and seen a real need for the relational side of recovery. Whenever had my second child, I retrained and entered into counselling, a world that I did not expect to see so much need in.
"I love working with the youth because they are so passionate and fun and I love that they have a real black and white outlook of the world, and simplify things. They are so willing to make positive changes for themselves too.
"The weight of the world, and what we have to burden as adults, a lot of young people don't have to do, and some really do. It is about trying to meet the needs of all of those young people.
"I heard a quote and it said 'be the person you needed whenever you were younger' and that really spoke to me because I didn't have a great childhood and had a lot of dysfunction and trauma. In my adolescence, I didn't have anyone helping and championing me on and I often wonder what my life could have looked like had I had that.
"Now I have people in my life like that now but it took me a long time to get to where I am."
Growing up in the country, Alix had never been in West Belfast, prior to joining the West Wellbeing team. But it didn't take long for the Co Down woman to settle in, pick up some local slang, and settle into the Colin community.
And while the charity is based in the heart of the West, they are helping people right across Northern Ireland.
"We want to let people know that everybody struggles, but there are people here that will care for you and help you," Alix added.
"Every young person needs to know that they are important, that they are valued and that they have purpose.
"Our personal development programmes 'Well Girl' and 'Well Guy' both cover the same core elements. We want each young person to leave these programmes believing that they are here on purpose and for a purpose and that this world is a better place because they are in it.
"Whenever you believe in a young person, it is amazing what they can achieve. It just takes that one positive voice sometimes, to overpower the negative. We look at the young person'a ambitions and goals.
"West Wellbeing to me, is like a family, and I know that sounds cheesy. Whenever you walk through the door you feel like you are getting a hug.
"We just want to create an environment where you can feel safe, cared for and loved. But also, to be able to grow."
For ways in which you can help or get help at West Wellbeing, you can find them on social media here.
Video by Belfast live videographer Dylan Hegarty.
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