Thread by @jacquep

So a compatriot in the UK for over twice as long as I have been, took their life in part due to the anxiety of what Brexit has brought to us, EU citizens in the UK.
Brexiters have accused all sorts for this.

They accused the EU and Merkel in particular for allegedly refusing to talk with Theresa May and agree a deal early on.
They didn't say a word when members of her government called us bargaining chips.

They said nothing when time after time, the government refused to meet with groups representing EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU.

On the contrary, they demanded we, EU citizens, lobby our own governments to be nice so that the UK government would be nice with us.

Some of course did want us out, though they would not necessarily admit it to themselves.
Some were more forthcoming.
IDS for instance saying that EU citizens who don't like Brexit could always go home.

A then top member of UKIP joked he would have a chat with Macron to arrange my repatriation while another one wanted to know what job I do in the UK to decide whether I was a worthy migrant or not.

Someone asked that I should not be deported but drowned.

I was accused of all sorts on Twitter, including by a French nationalist. He protested at foreigners getting certain benefits in France.
I asked what should happen to me if I found myself unemployed here in the UK, should I claim benefits?

He replied it was stupid to pay unemployment benefits to foreigners.
What, even after 2 decades paying in the system?
He didn't bother to answer to that.

I've had people telling me that I couldn't be integrated in British society since I never bothered to apply for British citizenship.
Others said that British passports were handed like confetti and it should be much harder to become British.

Many Brexiters are of the belief we EU citizens in the UK should feel intensely privileged and thankful to be allowed to live in the best country on earth.
That we are guests.
That guests should not be seen or heard.

We should of course have no political opinion and should be silent as the UK is trying to leave the tyranny of the EU dictatorship 😁😱☠️

To them, we should not be allowed to have any fear for our future. May and Johnson have made promises. We won't be chucked out. What are we complaining about, they ask.

Some go further. If we feel fear, we are not thankful enough with the UK and we should leave.

If we feel fear and show it to our children, we are, according to some of them, committing child abuse.

They probably won't care that an EU citizen who was poor and unable to renew a passport due to various circumstances, was threatened by social services with losing their child.

A target for Brexiters: Remainers.
They, Remainers, stand accused of being responsible for not trusting the government and circulating fake rumours that then make us fear for our future.

Would I like to leave?
Maybe so.
Will I leave?
Most likely not, but at least, my government won't stop my British wife, or her mum, from moving to France if things got bad enough for us to decide to leave. (Children are dual nationals).

Do I feel bad about staying here?
Absolutely.
I have been through several bouts of anxiety/depression triggered by #euref and its result, by the way UK has been governed since.

Have I felt suicidal?
Yes.
On the morning of 24 June 16 especially.

I have also been accused of having a sad life, only making myself look "important" by posting stuff like that.

They had a point.
Without Brexit, my life would definitely be happier.

If you want to know more about what we've faced, follow @InLimboBrexit .
Also group for EU citizens in the UK @the3million and UK citizens in the EU @BritishInEurope .

I was lucky to have pretty good care for my mental health on the NHS. Antidepressants, talking therapies (for which you can self refer without going through GP).

If you feel you're drowning, can't go on, you are not alone.
Talk to your friends and family.
Contact @samaritans

Hi @BrandonLewis ,
Any thought?

Hi @BrandonLewis