THERE will be a demonstration taking place in September to protest the closure of a vital mental health service.

Shadows Depression Support Group will have to close on September 6 when the funding they have been given by the Amman and Gwendreth GP cluster for the last three years comes to an end.

Shadows has been told that there is no funding available for the service due to cuts in the cluster’s funding by Hywel Dda University Health Board, with the health board saying that the cluster chooses how the money is spent.

Running costs for a year for Shadows – which provides quick support to anyone in the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys who is struggling with their mental health – is £96,000, which Cllr Kevin Madge says is ‘nothing compared to the lives saved.’

Cllr Madge is chairing an action committee to try and save Shadows. The committee was formed at public meetings held over the last few weeks and the first action is for a mass demonstration outside the health board’s Carmarthen HQ on September 14 to coincide with a board meeting taking place.

Cllr Madge stated the vital support provided by Shadows, and highlighted that the doctors in the cluster are still referring people to Shadows, despite the service being set to close.

“I want to know what is going to happen to those people who need help. If you have mental health struggles and go to the doctor, you get a 10-minute appointment and then are put on a waiting list. Shadows sees people immediately.”

Cllr Madge is calling on the community and local politicians to show their support. “I am calling on everyone to get behind this, including county councillors in the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys because this is something that affects your constituents.”

There will be another public meeting at Shadows’ Hall in Glanaman on August 22 at 6.30pm for anyone who would like to be involved.

There will be a free bus put on for anyone wishing to go to the demonstration on September 14. To book a place, contact Cllr Madge.