After her own traumas, Frome artist Stina Falle, has raised thousands for mental health charity, Mind in Somerset.
At 15 Stina was so stressed about exams, she had a breakdown. At 17 she was sectioned following a hyper manic episode after being sexually assaulted.
Now she is helping young people in the West Country with their mental health issues. She has just raised £2,000 through an exhibition for Mind in Somerset, the charity dedicated to helping improve mental health.
A second exhibition will be held from 9-14 April at The Silk Mill in Frome and Stina says: “My experience of terrible anxiety and depression can help others and I really respect what Mind in Somerset is doing with young people
“I’m a great believer in prevention rather than forcing medication on people, and you need to see everything holistically. Mind in Somerset with its Youth Matters programme is doing that and is very much in the vanguard.”
Stina Falle, a vibrant mother, grandmother and for the past four years Green Councillor on the Mendip District Council, sees how young people are suffering from anxiety and stress relating to self-image, exams, jobs, family breakdown and relationships.
Her secret to overcoming her mental health problems in the past is to look after yourself physically, eat properly and to avoid drugs and excessive drinking.
“We’re really grateful to Stina for her support,” says David Fields, community fund raising manager at Mind in Somerset. “We greatly value her generosity and advice, which will help the young people who attend our regular group meetings for 11-18 and 18-24-year-olds. These take place every two weeks in Frome, Chard, Langport, Yeovil and Bridport. We offer one-to-one sessions for Youth Matters in Frome, Yeovil and Langport.”
