Thread by @Tolley20

Mental Heath Thread - PLEASE READ.

This is very hard to write but please take some time to read and hopefully it will help someone. That’s the aim.

My Uncle took his own life on Friday Night. That’s it, gone, I will never get the chance to speak to him, go out for a beer or see him ever again.

He leaves behind a 10 year old son, his Mum, My Dad, friends, family, A network of people; devastated, lost.

But this wasn’t my Uncle, a loving man - who had his flaws, but show me a man without them and I’ll show you a liar. These were demons in his head that have made him do something catastrophic and irreversible.

It doesn’t make sense, it’s illogical and I can’t explain it. We see it all the time now everywhere and take it for granted but Mental Health is SO important. For somebody to be in a position to have to take their own life as the only solution is fucking heartbreaking.

I’ve seen my Gran wail at the news she’ll never see her son again. My Dad - a strong man - not know what to do with himselt. My Mum having to spread the news with family and friends. Will continuing to be look after his wife and kids after the news. None of us able to do anything

My point is for god sake if anybody, anywhere feels like they have nowhere to go or they can’t go on PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE speak to somebody. Friends, family, work colleagues, professionals, strangers. ANYONE

Any problems you think you have, financial, relationships, work, family, drugs, alcohol - all trivial,don’t bottle them up. Men are rubbish at talking about their feelings. There is no shame in admitting to someone you are struggling. You can literally save your own life

After I heard the news I drank to try and numb the pain. Pints, spirits, mixers, anything that would somehow make the situation better. Stupid idea, thankfully I had mates with me who I could talk to to calm me down, have a good cry. I’m not ashamed of that, I felt better for it.

So many people have said kind words to me and my family and it honestly means the fucking world. People grieve in their own ways but to have so much support goes a long, long way. It’s a battle none of us have to face alone.

I myself am the first person to have a laugh and a joke with people - often at others expense, I’m no saint, but if anyone is genuinely struggling I am one of the first people to offer myself for a chat and try to help people. We have all had tough times.

This is speaking from a mans perspective, I don’t have statistics and I don’t want to look at them. Both Men and Women shouldn’t feel like their only option is to take their own life. If you know somebody struggling, or even if you think they are, speak! Reach out.

To finish really I just want to reiterate how important it is to talk. A mate of mine said today ‘No man is an island’. You do not have to suffer alone, there are people that love you, whoever is reading this, for who you are and what you can do. Hopefully this helps somebody ❤️