THE people of the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys are being urged to show their support for a vital mental health service which is set to close in September, even though people are still being referred to the service.

Cllr Kevin Madge has pleaded for the public to continue to get behind Shadows Depression Support Group as they fight to keep funding for the service.

Shadows supports around 1,600 people across the valleys who are struggling with their mental health and have saved a number of lives.

But the funding that was provided by the Amman and Gwendraeth GP cluster will be stopped on September 6, meaning that Shadows will have to close unless they can find the £96,000 needed to keep the service running for a year.

Following public meetings, an action committee has been set up which is led by Cllr Madge and there is a demonstration being planned outside the S4C offices in Carmarthen for September 14 – the day Hywel Dda University Health Board is holding a meeting at the venue to discuss the location for the new urgent care hospital.

Cllr Madge said: “People need to support this. They need to realise that we have a service here that is vital.

“People might not need it right now, but they could have a marriage breakdown, a bereavement, a financial crisis and they will never know when they will need support like Shadows gives.

“The GP cluster is still sending people to Shadows, but where would they go when Shadows closes? That’s my worry.

"We still have deaths now, although Shadows has prevented quite a few, but there are still some, and I can see more happening if Shadows closes.

“I am calling on everyone to join the demonstration. I am also calling on the county and community councillors of the areas to get involved.

“A number already have but there are plenty who have not and they know who they are. The service affects everyone in the communities.”

Anyone wishing to join the demonstration can contact Cllr Kevin Madge. A bus is being provided to take people to the S4C studios in Carmarthen on September 14.