A counsellor has spoken out on the importance of seeking help as exam pressures and the economic downturn affect people’s happiness and family relationships.

Julia Hammans has been a counsellor for Kingston and Richmond charity Relate for nearly 10 years and also works in schools with young people.

The 53-year-old said stigma surrounding therapy and mental health was improving but people still found it difficult to come forward and get help sooner, rather than later.

She said: “It takes people a lot of courage to make that first phone call; it’s quite a brave thing to do because it’s not necessarily something they have done. “I would like for people to feel that there is no shame to seek help.

“It doesn’t have to be a huge or serious problem to come here. I would like to think that people don’t think they can only come when it is desperate.”

Mrs Hammans said as couples face job losses, financial insecurity and increased time pressures relationships are more strained than ever.

Their problems then affect the whole family, especially children who are often overlooked, she said.

She said: “I think it’s really important that each school has someone students can talk to. I think they are under a huge amount of pressure. “ Mrs Hammans said although her job can be tough and extremely emotionally demanding she finds her clients are inspiring and said helping them resolve their problems is always positive.

Visit relate.org.uk for more information.