A DROP-IN centre was launched on Monday to provide advice and information about mental health.
At the official opening, guest Dr Rosie Page spoke about the mental health problems suffered by her father, Alf Wight, who wrote the James Herriot novels.
She shared her feelings about how his breakdown affected the family.
The facility in Thirsk is the brainchild of David Forster, who suffered a breakdown more than eight years ago.
He said: "Speaking about her own father's mental health problems, Dr Page brought some people to tears. She praised the idea of bringing a help and advice service closer to the community."
The first of its kind in Thirsk, the Stepping Stones initiative is intended to be an open house, which welcomes anyone involved or interested in mental health matters.
Volunteers and people with past experience of problems will help centre users.
The centre has been supported and financed by the York Diocese Social Care Fund and the Thirsk Regeneration Initiative, which presented £1,000 at the opening.
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