For Oban woman Helen Pearson, a local support group has had such a profound effect on her that she credits it with saving her life.
The Developing Potential Link Club—often just called the Link Club—is more than a peer support group.
It offers a welcoming, non-judgmental space run by people who know first-hand what it’s like to live with a mental health condition.
Call for Oban Link Club trustees and support
But with one of its key board members retiring, the future of the group may now depend on new volunteers stepping up.
Helen, a well-known figure in Oban and a talented Gaelic singer, has lived with depression and anxiety.
At her lowest, she says, she didn’t want to go on.
Now, she is reaching out to others in similar situations, encouraging them to find support and to help sustain the group that helped her.
“We’ve had a board member for a long time, Glenn Appleton, who has supported our work and helped us find funding,” said Helen.
“She has been incredible. But she’s due to retire, and now we need others to come forward to keep the group going.”
The Link Club meets twice a week and operates on a peer-to-peer basis.
Describing her own journey, she said: “I need support at times—not all the time—but at times.
Mental health support in rural areas – like Oban, can be difficult
“If the Link Club didn’t exist, I don’t know how I’d get the support I need as quickly as I do. People genuinely care about each other.”
She added that support services in rural areas can be difficult to access.
“In bigger places, people might pay for help, or have shorter waiting lists. But here, options are limited.”
With Glenn’s departure looming, the group urgently needs trustees with financial expertise or people with ideas for sustainable funding.
“We really want to keep this going,” said Helen.
She concluded: “The Link Club saved my life. I want it to help other people who think there’s no hope. Because there is always hope.”
The Link Club meets on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm in the Baptist Church Hall and Fridays from 11am to 2pm at The Perle Hotel.
New members and supporters are welcome.
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