A TEENAGER from Largs who lost her dad and saw her schoolmates struggle to cope with the death of a fellow pupil has set up a support system to improve young people's mental health.

Courageous 16-year-old Corrie Shepherd of Largs Academy has been the driving force behind a groundbreaking project which will help transform lives.

Corrie has been nominated for North Ayrshire Young Person of the Year after she helped set up the 'Clearer Minds' initiative, which will use special assemblies, videos, comic book workshops and a mental health ambassadors programme to provide vital emotional support.

The council is so impressed that it is has earmarked £30,000 of funding for the scheme.

After the untimely loss of her own father, Corrie was convinced that mental health issues needed to be spoken about more openly.

Following the tragic loss of a second year pupil at the school last year, she hopes the new programme will help pupils to open up and talk about their feelings.

Corrie, who is one of the school's new mental health ambassadors, has met with Brian Costello from the HeadStrong organisation of experts, who has agreed to support her initiative.

Corrie said: "The initial idea came about as I thought that we needed quite a lot of support, based on what had happened.

"We needed to get some expertise.

"My mum Susan and I saw that there was some Young Scot funding available, and then we heard about Brian Costello.

"We contacted him and we came up with the idea about providing six assemblies in relation to mental health costing £800 and looked at putting in an application.

"The council got behind the concept and wanted to make it much broader.

"We thought that through the video production and comic book workshops it was quite an attractive way of getting children to interact.

Corrie hopes her idea will make a lasting difference and help young people to deal with difficult times.

The fifth year pupil added: "Mental health is so important these days and we need to speak about it more.

"Everyone experiences mental health - I felt it was important to get something put in place at the school to help.

"We looked at providing assemblies but it was then extended.

"It is really nice to see everyone wanting to get involved."

Corrie has been supported by her mum Susan and her friend Sharon Murdoch in helping to put together funding applications and worked with councillors Alan Hill and Ian Murdoch on the project.

Largs Academy guidance teacher Grace Furey said: "Corrie has done a terrific job.

"Clearer Minds is an extensive programme which will impact fully on the school, including pupils and staff."

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch, who chairs a stress and anxiety young people committee on the locality partnership, said: "I was so impressed with the initiative and I have supported Corrie throughout.

"The partnership unanimously supported it.

"If it is successful, it could be rolled out in schools across North Ayrshire.

"It is good that is pro-active, and hopefully will make a really positive impact.

"It has really snowballed, and Corrie deserves full credit for leading the initiative."

Cllr Murdoch has now nominated Corrie for the North Ayrshire Council Provost Civic Pride young person of the year prize.

Locality Planning chair Alex Gallagher said: "Mental health is such a big issue these days, and the Clearer Minds project is a comprehensive programme which is a very promising approach involving teachers, support staff and parents in terms of making a difference and early intervention.

"Corrie has done this on her own initiative, working with teachers, support staff and others, to make it happen."

* You can vote for Corrie here: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/your-community/provosts-civic-pride-awards.aspx