Saved from suicide – the ultimate value of mental health awareness

In the words of our client…….

“I just wanted to drop you an email to share something that happened to me over the festive break that was of incredible significance and I thought was notable of letting you know.

Just before NYE, I made a post on Facebook about the impact of male suicide in 2020 on under 40s versus the amount of death from COVID in the same age bracket to bring awareness to men’s mental health and the importance of talking. I am always reflective at this time of year as it is the anniversary of when my cousin took his own life 6 years ago.

After sipping a drink, the phone vibrated with a notification on Facebook. An old friend had who commented with an out of character message about being alone and no one caring, prompted me to message him privately. After a series of worrying private messages referencing suicide and self-harm, I tried to contact him via phone, video, Whatsapp but he didn’t respond. This created enormous panic but I kept trying for about an hour and eventually he picked up. It turned out that he was in a particularly dark place and 6 months earlier had actually attempted to take his own life but was saved the paramedics thankfully. I also found out his mother had passed away in August from COVID and that many of his friends had pulled away from him leaving him isolated and withdrawn – in moments prior to us speaking and even on the call he was planning to take his own life again.

I simply listened, spoke with him, told him he was loved and kept going over in my mind all the things we had discussed in our sessions with yourself at MRA, particularly the Wheel of Resilience and factors that can significantly affect our mental wellbeing.  We spoke for an hour and 45mins whilst he shared his darkest thoughts, and when he put down the phone I really did not know if I would ever see or speak to him again but I had promised to call him first thing in the morning and meet for a coffee.

When I rang he answered straight away and thanked me for saving his life……..He said it was the most important thing anyone had ever done for him and gave him hope and strength. I had done some research and spoken to some friends in the background and with his permission we arranged for a specialist crisis team member to visit him and to support him going forwards, something I wasn’t even aware of until recently.

Firstly, I want to say that I don’t think I would messaged him after his initial Facebook comments if it wasn’t for the recent sessions I did with you. You showed me ways of thinking differently and gave me the tools to understand where I am on my continual journey of mental wellbeing – without prejudice or negativity.  Ultimately your support prompted me to reach out to my friend and quite frankly saved his life for which I will be forever grateful to you for, so thank you. “

The real-life difference showing the value of mental health awareness.

Nothing more to say.