Prime minister David Cameron has honoured a consultant clinical psychologist from Merton who has pioneered education workshops to tackle young people’s mental health issues.

Dr Nihara Krause, the CEO and founder of STEM4, a charity which aims to improve teenage mental health, has received a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Among her achievements, Dr Krause and her team of volunteers teach workshop participants how to develop emotional resilience, spot early warning signs and learn some self-help strategies.

She has created online resources for those seeking help on the STEM4 website and a MindYour5 guide, giving activity ideas for improved mental health.

Dr Krause said: "It is an honour to be recognised for doing something I am very committed to.

"I have to thank STEM4 volunteers who have enabled us to reach out to teenagers in need and to the community who have been so responsive to us.

"This award helps raise the importance of the need to stem teenage mental ill health through early awareness and accessible validated intervention."

Dr Krause, who has more than 20 years experience in the field, is the 225th winner of the new Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with a programme of the same name in the USA and was first established by President George W Bush.