A SINGLE mum from Cradley Heath has been overwhelmed by the response she received after reaching out for help to fellow mental health sufferers on social media.

Sam Chatwin, of Hall Street, has suffered with extreme highs and lows since suffering a breakdown in 2017.

The 31-year-old mum-of-two was recently suffering a low patch when she posted on Facebook and was inundated with responses from people in the same boat.

The amazing response has led to her forming her own support group - which has a Facebook page called Stronger Together - under the motto 'It's okay not to be okay' - and is staging regular meetings at the Amber Tavern on Hagley Road West, in Quinton.

Sam, mum to Elise, aged 11 and Blake, 9, said: "A few weeks ago I was really struggling and reached out on my local Facebook pages.

"I was amazed at the response! I have set up a group on facebook for sufferers.

"In just four weeks we now have over 300 members.

"We had our first support group on Wednesday August 14 with 15 people coming.

"Then last week 18 people came. I was so overwhelmed - I thought I'd be there alone.

"We've decided to meet up weekly at the Amber Tavern on a Wednesday from 6pm in the bar.

"I'm hoping to set up more meetings around the Black Country over the next few weeks."

Sam is unable to work due to her mental health issues, but she does stage charity events.

She said of her breakdown: "I didn't wash for days, never opened the curtains, didn't leave the house or get dressed.

"I either didn't eat for days or eat like a horse.

"My sleep was broken constantly so I felt exhausted. I got put on the anti-depressant citalapram and by September 2018 I had worked my way up to 40mg but it still wasn't working.

"My doctor then referred me to a psychiatrist and I'm now being tested for bipolar.

"I'm either on such a high or so low I don't want to be here."

Sam is encouraging people to join the group instead of suffering alone.