A VITAL support service for children and young adults this week issued a heartfelt appeal for support to keep its organisation running.

Tor Support Services was launched 18 months ago. It is a non-profit service, dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of school age children and young adults.

In that time, 750 appointments have been attended to from its base at Okehampton College —and more come in each day.

Referrals have come from schools, health professionals, social care and police services while parents and young people themselves, have also referred directly into the service.

Ciara White, the lead counsellor for TSS, said: 'Young people today experience many problems, from friendship issues to exam pressures, bereavement, changes to family structure, domestic violence, eating disorders, behaviour problems and high levels of depression and anxiety.

'By supporting young people early on we can make a real difference, providing support when they need it most.'

In the coming months TSS is hoping to set itself up as a formal charity which could help them access greater funding.

However, finances are limited and although the offices, heating and electricity have been provided by Okehampton College, TSS has to rely on charitable donations for all its othger running costs.

Ciara said: 'There is no government funding and little provision for children and young people's mental health in this part of England.

'We rely solely on donations. The Okehampton United Charities have been very generous and we thank the Okehampton Ladies' Circle and the Okehampton and district Lions' Club for their wonderful support. However we need more funds just to maintain the existing services we have to offer.'

Ciara said TSS welcomed young people referred to them in an informal, friendly environment, which was not too stuffy and where young people felt they were not being examined or scrutinised.

She said: 'We have had young people who have been suffering from anxiety or depression who we have helped treat their problems and now have gone onto further education, to college, an apprenticeship or a workplace are getting on with their lives.

'Mental health services for young people are well established in cities like Exeter and Plymouth, while Youth Wise has been providing an excellent service in Tavistock but places like Okehampton and district had fallen between the net.

'Youth Wise provided a very good satellite service in Okehampton for many years until it ceased 18 months ago. Tor Support Services was then formed to fill that gap.'

TSS, which adheres to the guidelines and ethical code set out by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, has five counsellors who have all completed extensive training in counselling or psychotherapy. A number of the counsellors work on a voluntary part-time basis and the service is grateful for their 'invaluable support.'

One young man from Okehampton who used the counselling service said: 'After counselling I felt I was on the road to recovery.

'Before I felt that I had no options. It has been very helpful for me. It opens your eyes to see that you can overcome things and I know from experience it is a lifesaver and a place to grow and understand yourself more.'

A boy who attends Okehampton College said of the service: 'Having counselling has made a big difference to my life.

'Before I was always fighting at home and getting into trouble in school.

'Now my anger's not a problem and I can handle things better.'

Ciara told the Times: 'Early intervention is always better than crisis intervention.

'The sooner we can support young people suffering with such problems as depression, anxiety or low self esteem the greater their chances of recovery. I feel proud to be part of a service which supports young people when they really need it.'

Darryl Chapman, the principal of Okehampton College, said: 'The service that TSS provide is an incredibly important one that we must support.

'There has not been much in the way for provision of counselling for children and young people in West Devon, Okehampton in particular, and this is one service we really have an absolute need for.

'Young people have many problems to deal with — within their own families, personal relationships, school, finance, stress — so it is vital to them to have an outlet such as Tor Support Services when they need it.'

Mr Chapman, commended Okehampton United Charities for its backing for TSS, but added: 'The question is how do we sustain such a service?

'Unless there is a statutory commitment in place to provide financial support for such important community services, which there isn't, then unfortunately it has to depend on charity to keep going.

'I really hope individuals and businesses in and around Okehampton support them with donations so they can continue their work to help troubled young people in our community.'

For further information about Tor Support Service please call Anne Underwood or Ciara White on 01837 650910.