A north-east charity has received a £45,000 donation to help with the provision of counselling for young people in the area.
Global energy firm Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd made the financial pledge to Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) as part of their ReachOut community investment programme.
The main aim of the donation is to cut waiting lists and increase the reach of the service.
Astrid Whyte, MHA chief executive, said: “Our youth counsellors are active throughout the north-east and the biggest challenge for us at present is meeting demand. A waiting list of any length is far from ideal, but if it cannot be eradicated then it is imperative that we cut it as far as we can.
“There is a perception that Aberdeen is a city immune from the issues which impact on other areas of the country, that somehow we are protected because the economic picture is generally bright. The truth is very different and the experiences of our youth counsellors bring that home on a daily basis.
“There are children of primary school age in Aberdeen who are dealing with responsibilities and situations that many will not face in a lifetime and understandably that has a significant impact. Counselling cannot provide all of the answers to what are often complex issues but it is a very big first step.”
The demand for youth counselling services, which is core funded by the Fairer Aberdeen Fund, has grown year on year and is provided to children from primary school age up to 18-years-old under the ACIS Youth Counselling Service umbrella.