A TEENAGER who says writing helped him through depression has launched a campaign to help others manage their feelings.

Jake Neufeld, 19, from Stirling, found putting pen to paper helped him through some of the toughest moments of his life.

He now hopes to use his talent for writing to help others find a way to express their emotions.

Mr Neufeld said: "Mental health is something I've had personal experience of and I hope that by using that experience, I've been able to capture how it feels.

"I want people to hear what I have to say and to relate to it. I don't just want them to focus on the low points, but to take away the message that I'm trying to put across."

Jake is working with the charity Fixers, which supports young people aged 16 to 25. With the charity's help, he has created a film to accompany one of his poems about mental health.

Jake said: "I started writing and I felt more in control of things. I write for myself and my sanity, and it's helped keep me grounded through some of the toughest points in my life.

"Music has always been a release for me."

To watch Jake's film, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Opcl2NIng.