AN ASPIRING mental health worker has spoken out, claiming his ambitions to support others are being hampered by the lack of help from authorities with his own challenges. Stanley Lace, 31, of George Street in Whitehaven has been involved with mental health support services in the area for 10 years. For some time he has struggled to come to terms with memories from his past and suicidal feelings. He believes that treatment from a psychologist would be the path towards a happier life for himself, enabling him to focus on his goal of working in the mental health support sector himself. Mr Lace said though that he had tried to access treatment by contacting the Community Mental Health Assessment and Recovery Team based at West Cumberland Hospital, but was told he had not been accepted on the grounds that it believed he had a drinking problem and that recent struggles were linked to the passing of his mother.