AN ARDROSSAN dad who survived a suicide attempt has started a journey to produce book inspired by his mental health peer support group.

Keith Lavelle, 36, set up A New Hope last year after his best friend took his own life.

The dad of four, has endured his own battle with depression and anxiety which led to him being in an induced coma after he tried to commit

suicide.

He started his group to help other men and now women in the Three Towns who needed somewhere to turn if they were struggling with their mental health.

Now, he is looking to produce a peer support book after he was granted funding by Foundation Scotland.

Keith told the Herald: “I want to fill it with real people’s stories, how mental health has affected work, life, relationships.

“How things change and what people have in place to help deal with their mental health.

“Not everybody has access to a peer support group, not everyone can go to a group.

“But if they know there is a book out there, they can flick to a real story, something that they can relate to that could be enough to get them through the day.”

Keith has set up a website to try and collect as many inspiring stories as he can for the book.

He has recruited the help of a personal fitness instructor who will give advice on how exercise and diet can improve mental health and CBT help from female members of the group

If you would like to make a submission to the book you can do so at www.AnewHope.co.uk or contact email: contact@anewhope.co.uk.