THE best friend of a 26-year-old woman who died after a long battle with poor mental health is sharing her story in the hope that it could urge others to get help.

Leah Griffiths, a teaching assistant from Haydock, was found on Friday, February 21 at her home after years of battling with depression and anxiety.

Announcing her passing on Facebook, her sister Kyra Brady, said: "In the early hours of Friday morning our beautiful darling Leah gained her angel wings.

"Our loving, caring and funny girl put on the bravest face, but had battled with her demons for a long time and unfortunately this cruel world was just too much for her.

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Leah was a proud auntie

"We cannot begin to comprehend this devastating news but we hope she is now finally at peace and has found her way back into her Nanny Rhoda's arms.

"She is loved an immense amount by so many people, whose lives she touched with her incredibly kind nature and she is already missed an indescribable amount.

"We thank our amazing family and friends for their continued love, support and well wishes during this difficult time."

Leah's best friend Sarah Pinder, 32, also from Haydock, hopes that by sharing Leah's story, others may look for help if they are struggling.

Mum-of-two Sarah, said: "I have known Leah for 10 years or so and we spoke everyday near enough and was a great support to me and the children.

"She was full of fun and personality, was the life and soul of any party, and would always be cracking jokes.

"So it just shows that you don't always know what's going on in people's lives.

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Leah with Sarah

"I knew that she had had her ups and downs when it came to mental health, and I thought she had been through the worst of it.

"We had plans to meet up and go out with my kids on Friday, but she died before that could happen.

"We usually text each other in the morning, so when it wasn't delivered I guessed something was wrong but I thought she had just broke her phone.

"It was only when her sister got in touch I realised what happened and went into shock. I still don't think it has sunk in.

"We had been talking about what happened to Caroline Flack recently as well, and I'd just bought us some Be Kind t-shirts, I never thought she wouldn't get to wear it.

"Please if you are suffering like Leah then please reach out.

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Sarah with Leah

"Leah has so many family and friends, like me who lives just around the corner, she could have reached out to, but she didn't.

"If this could help someone else not to go through this then that would mean so much."

The JustGiving page has been set up with the aim of raising funds towards the funeral costs, set up by Sarah to help Leah's family.

To donate go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leahgriffiths

If you need support please call:

Samaritans - free on 116 123 (UK and Ireland 24 hours a day).

Mind on 0300 123 339 (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm)

HOPELineUK - offering support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide - 0800 0684141

CALM – aimed at preventing male suicide in the UK - 0800 585858 (daily 5pm-midnight)

Papyrus – 0800 0684141