Here is Tommy on his 17th birthday. He’s wearing his new Nine Inch Nails jacket, which he loved, coupled with his beautiful, crazy hair. He didn’t make his 18th birthday, and our world was shattered.
Tommy was under the care of CAMHS for a period of time, but he was discharged after we all agreed he was doing much better. It was made clear he could go back anytime before his 18th birthday. Although there was a clear time when he was struggling, he seemed so well. Losing him came as a complete shock.
We need to understand better the pressures on young people today, the lives they are actually living, the effect social media has on them, and why the suicide rates are so high.
We need to change the narrative around suicide and mental ill health, and to let young people know there is always hope for a better life. That it’s ok to reach out for help. That they have options.
