A SPECIAL public screening dedicated to a former Peebles dance teacher will take place tonight (Friday, September 21).

The documentary, called Careless explores the story of dancer Evie Douglas and looks at mental health services for young people.

In November 2014, just weeks after her 21st birthday, the former Peebles High School pupil took her own life. As a way of remembering her, and encouraging others to talk about their own mental health, her mum, Freda Douglas, set up the Evie Douglas Memorial Fund to support people across the community.

Since its inception, the fund has made donations to the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) and Peebles High School Dance Group.

And over the past two years, friends of Evie’s family, Catriona Taylor, along with her children, Caitlin and Jamie Delves have been raising money to help create the film and highlight the issue.

Freda told us: “Catriona, Caitlin and Jamie’s efforts were successful and the film was completed.

“We are holding a public screening at the Eastgate Theatre where the local community will have the opportunity to see the film.

“Monies raised will go to Inspiring Life: Evie Douglas Memorial Fund. This fund awards money to individuals, support groups, and mental health charities.”

The film tells Evie’s story, recounted by Freda, along with those of Rob, Helen, Ashling, Erin, Natasha, Lily, Jamie, Connor and Emma – all of whom have suffered from acute mental health issues.

Each talk directly about what they have faced, and what helped them find balance again.

Interspersed with these stories are a number of interviews with health and education professionals including Alexis Hesketh from Papyrus.

The film also features the ‘Tartan Explorer’, Josh Quigley, who survived an attempt to take his own life and has gone on to travel the world to tell his story.

The screening will take place tonight at 7.30pm. A question and answer session will be held afterwards.

Tickets are £5 each and can be purchased online from www.eastgatearts.com, or by calling the box office on 01721 725777.