Two teenagers who founded a mental health support group following their own struggles are branching out into the streets of Belfast.
Lauryn McAuley and Lori McDowell, both 19, unveiled the My Chapter Campaign last year.
Now they have 10 trained volunteers who will be heading into Belfast City Centre each Saturday night to offer their support to anyone sleeping on the streets, having a rough time or who simply needs a friendly ear.
North Belfast teenagers launch My Chapter Campaign after battling mental health problems
Lauryn told Belfast Live: "Our mission is to tend to the needs of people’s mental well-being while being out on the streets.
"We have trained our team up with the help of PIPS so they are capable of dealing and helping with vulnerable people who may be in need of help with their problems. We have carefully planned out six zones in north Belfast including the city centre where our team will be on the ground on hand to be there for anyone who needs us.
"Through being in different zones we will collect research on issues that are arising in the community and see how the different communities can tackle them.
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"We will be approaching people and having conversations with the public to let them know where to go and get help without judgement if they feel they need support with their mental health," she added.
The North Belfast woman, who self harmed for two years, said they hope to "bring all of the communities together" with their new initiative "to give people the courage to open up and realise it is okay to talk as we believe this is the hardest but bravest step in their road to recovery".
They will also be handing out flyers with positive messages and phone numbers signposting people to extra support if needed.
She explained: "Our aim is to not save lives but to help improve the lives of the people so they can see the worth they have to live a worthy life through recovery."
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The team will be "out on the streets" from Saturday with the aim of helping people to "see the worth they have to live a worthy life through their recovery".
And they are also looking for volunteers "from all communities and background to help us with this chapter of our campaign!"
Click here for more information on My Chapter Campaign's outreach programme or to join the team.
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