BARROW’S MP John Woodcock gave his approval of The Mail’s ‘Time to Talk’ campaign after a mother opened up about her ‘heartbreaking’ ordeal of caring for a son, Drew, struggling with mental illness.

Leanne Foote, 39, who suffers from depression herself, spoke about how her10-year-old son has stated ‘he wanted to kill himself and would wrap things around his neck’.

Mr Woodcock spoke out for people like Miss Foote, whose situation has left her in the depths of despair.

Both Mr Woodcock and Miss Foote have criticised the lack of funding available to children after her son had to wait 15 months for an appointment.

“One of the reasons that waiting lists for specialist mental health support are so long is because there's little preventative care in place that can help people before they get into a really bad place," said Mr Woodcock.

"That's why initiatives like 'Time to Talk' are so important.

"By encouraging conversations between friends and family members about mental health they give us the tools to help each other in a way that can prevent the need for medical support that is over-stretched.

"As a result of the way people have pushed to remove the stigma surrounding mental health, these conversations are becoming more and more routine – helping spot problems earlier on.

“At the moment, teachers and parents are distraught children often cannot access any care at all until their condition has deteriorated to crisis point. A stitch in time so often saves nine, but it is the fabric of people’s lives that are being torn apart.”

"There's no manual for coping with a child like this," said Miss Foote.

"You wonder whether you are to blame.

"I broke down. I was a mess and I just wanted him to get better.

"We lived in a bubble of depression."

The ‘Time to Talk’ campaign was launched by The Mail after a spate of people taking their own lives.

The campaign hopes to raise awareness of mental health conditions.