Living with a mental illness can be hard, especially if you feel isolated because of it.
A group of people in Stratford are determined to change that, and have set up a peer support group as a result.
One member, who we are calling Michelle in this article for privacy reasons, says the group has been an invaluable support to her since it started over two years ago.
"We all have different reasons for being there. Some of our members are living with OCD, some with bipolar, some with anxiety or depression, but we all want to support each other and find our own strengths in doing so."
The group started, she says, at the suggestion of Bernie Kira of Supporting Families Taranaki.