NEW counselling support and wellbeing services are being launched to help autistic people with deal with severe long-term mental health effects during lockdown.
The Daisy Chain charity will run the services for 90 autistic people thanks to a grant of £57,000 from Durham Freemasons.
The new wellbeing service offers autistic young people and adults across the Tees Valley free access to in-person support and professional counselling services.
Although autism is not a mental health condition, people on the autistic spectrum are more vulnerable to mental health problems.
Research indicates that 70 per cent of children with autism develop mental health problems, 40 per cent suffer with anxiety and 30 per cent with depression.
Lynnette Taylor, a leader at Daisy Chain, said: “We are very grateful to Durham Freemasons for their generous grant.
“Offering a safe space for autistic young people and adults, and enabling access to counselling and wellbeing support has never been more vital.”