AS a past user of counselling, I would like to express my sincere concern at the proposed cut of this service throughout South Worcestershire.

Having suffered two bouts of post natal depression after the births of my children, I was on and off anti-depressants for five years. During this time I was fortunate enough to have counselling through my GP practice and I must say that I found these sessions to be enlightening and most beneficial (after the four month waiting list).

With counselling, you have one hour a week where you are able to talk about your problems without being judged or interrupted. You can talk about the most trivial of things and it's like a ray of light when you suddenly see a pattern emerging of why you react a certain way to certain situations. It feels as if somebody really cares about you at a time when you are surrounded by dark thoughts and despair. After a couple of sessions I soon regained by confidence to get back on to this merry-go-round that we live.

Many things that I learn about myself and human nature have stayed with me and are of great comfort when things don't go to plan.

I think that it is barbaric to cut this service when so many people are suffering from mental health problems. It's no good giving them anti-depressants and telling them to pull themselves together (all supposing that they will get anti-depressants with the prescription cut-backs!!) There are natural remedies and therapy but sometimes these can be very expensive if you are on a tight budget plus counselling helps to look at the cause of the problem rather than treating the symptoms. After all, our local GPs are not going to have enough time in the day to see all their patients with mental health problems each week and I hate to think that anybody would harm either themselves or others whilst suffering what is often a serious medical condition.

I urge people to think seriously about these cutbacks in our services and object whilst you have the chance. After all, what is the point in any Government promising to put money into the NHS if this extra money is created by recalling deficits that were caused by lack of funds in the first place?

MRS TRUDY BURGE, Church Street, Pershore.