The actors from the Healthy Valleys group performed Talk to Me for the minister and other guests at South Lanarkshire Council headquarters.

And Ms Sturgeon was so impressed she has set the wheels in motion for a visit to Holyrood.

She said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the play. The youngsters are amazingly talented and raised some very important issues.

"I would love to take them to the Parliament. I defy anyone to watch that and not be moved by it.

"It is something that I would like to see rolled out across the
country."

Talk to Me is broken down into four short stories exploring different aspects of mental health including bullying, alcohol, drugs and food bingeing.

The cast, who worked with the Solar Bear Theatre company once a week between January and April, had performed the drama three times previously — in Douglas, Blackwood and Hamilton.

Now it seems they could be taking part in a few more performances!

One of the actors, Derek Darvell said: "I think it would be a good idea to perform in front of other people as it will raise awareness of mental health issues.

"Everyone we have spoken to said they enjoyed the play so we're all really pleased."

Director Gerry Ramage said: "There has been quite a reaction to Talk to Me. The original plan was to do three performances in the local area but it really has snowballed.

"I think it's important that more young people get to see the piece because we want it to reach as many of them as possible."

The proof of the group's success can be shown with the results of the survey handed out to those attending the first three performances.

Of all those questioned 85 per cent of people recognised the issues raised while 80 per cent felt they had or knew someone who had one of the problems raised within the play.

A staggering 80 per cent also said they would feel more confident in speaking to someone about mental health issues.

Happy Valleys chairman Sinclair Scott said: "This drama reaches all age groups and the more exposure it gets the better.

"Because the actors are roughly the same age as the majority of
people who will watch the play, it makes it more real and appeals to the younger audience."