Matt
Didn't get to celebrate his 25th birthday
My friend Matt was 24 when he took his own life. He didn't get to celebrate his 25th birthday.
He was the true life and soul of the party. He was super smart, went to Oxford, smashed everyone at University Challenge or whatever we played.
Just before he died he'd started a job as an English teacher. We lived together, so every time he'd come home after work, he'd be absolutely hyped and excited about the kids he taught; that they liked the football session he'd run, or the rap club he set up for the year nines, or the kid who was really struggling previously that Matt had helped pass an exam.
Like Matt I was only 24 when he died. We felt quite old at the time, but looking back it's clear how young he was and I was too. I hope this campaign highlights the struggles that so many young people like Matt go through every day and empowers and mobilises people around them who if they were given the right tools and support could really help.
I wonder if the people around Matt had had more confidence to talk about the issue directly and to know where they could signposts for professional help, maybe that conversation could have happened, and maybe he'd still be here today.
