Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and we would like to thank Lynn Duesbury, one of our Senior Nurse Practitioners, for sharing her story after losing her niece, Jessica, to suicide at the age of just 27.
Suicide is the single biggest killer of under 35 year olds in the UK and a subject many people find difficult to talk about, but it had a profoundly heart-breaking effect on Lynn and her family.
Lynn has been with DHU Healthcare for nine years and earlier this year walked and cycled 500 miles for Papyrus, a charity and support movement that has done some tremendous work in bringing this heartbreaking and under-discussed subject to prominence.
Lynn raised just short of £850 for Papyrus, a young suicide prevention charity created by three father who all lost teenage daughters to suicide, a total that was match funded to close to £1,700 by DHU. Lynn thought that World Suicide Prevention Day was an opportunity to share her reflections on Jess’ life and to remind people in a similar situation that they are never alone and help is always there.
Here, in Lynn’s own words, is Jess’ story…
“Jess was outgoing, fun-loving, artistic and a beautiful young woman, with a loving extended network of family, friends and a partner. After graduating from Liverpool University, Jessica made Liverpool her home for the following years, enjoying a lively and creative lifestyle.
“She was a talented writer and had two books published, including a book of poetry, a book for her younger sister about adolescence and the unforgettable poem she wrote and read for her nan’s funeral.
“Jess made the heart-breaking decision on the 1st of November 2022 to end her own life. As Jessica’s mum, my sister Alison said at her funeral: ‘We are all now members of a club no one wants to be in. Jessica found this life just too hard’.
“Trying to make sense of all of this prompted me to delve deep into how and why?
“I came across Papyrus, an organisation put together by three fathers who had all lost their young daughters to suicide. Their aim is to raise awareness of the prevention of suicide amongst young people, including their campaign to make it a compulsory part of the national curriculum, education and training, help and advice, and providing a free helpline. With their work supporting families like mine, it seemed like the obvious thing for me to do something for them. So, cycled and walked 500 miles to raise as much money as possible for this incredible charity, and raise awareness for suicide prevention.
“What happened to Jess hit our family very hard, her Mum; my younger sister Alison, Dad, two younger sisters, a brother, baby niece, cousins, uncles, aunties, a boyfriend and so many friends who love her very much. We felt and still feel devastated, it will never leave us, it will just live alongside us forever.
“If there was more public awareness of this incredibly under promoted illness, condition, mental illness, however you want to describe it, maybe Jess would have recognised the help she needed. That’s why I did this, for Jess and all of those in this club no one wants to be in, and I would like to thank everyone at DHU who donated, DHU as an organisation for doubling the money raised and family and friends who supported and helped me to raise awareness of this terrible affliction.”
We’d like to thank Lynn and her family for sharing their very personal and emotional story under difficult circumstances.
If you have been affected by Jess’ story and would like to know more about where to get help, support or are concerned about a loved one, the Papyrus site has a number of resources including a helpline manned by trained Mental Health Experts, links to local resources and much more. You can visit their page by clicking here.
Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)
Here are some more links to support services that are there if you need help, advice or a place to start that very difficult conversation.
Calm - A Charity 'taking a stand against suicide'. You can call their helpine between 5pm and 12am on 0800 585858 or visit their website by clicking here.
Shout - A free, confidential 24/7 text service for Mental Health Support...text 85258
Frontline19 - Confidential psychological wellbeing service for NHS and frontline staff - Click here
The Mental Health Crisis Helpline - Call 080 196 3779