Local woman shares her daughter's heartfelt words about her dad to prevent suicides
By Deborah Bowyer 13th Sep 2022
A Church Lawton mum is sharing a blog one of her daughters has written highlighting the trauma following her father's sad death.
And the mum, Sonia Harrison, hopes others will look out for the signs of someone thinking about taking their own life and get them to seek help before it's too late.
Sonia's daughter, Helen Stuart, wrote a blog for World Suicide Prevention Day which appears on the 'Shining a Light on Suicide', Making Conversations Count.
The blog can be read in full here https://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/making-conversations-count/?fbclid=IwAR3LGCnfq13ZOAzsbIbr8tIu2Hr9D4d_A84-CvNd1tjK6V8vdNkNmuXrzpE
In it, Helen says: "One of the most painful things about losing someone to suicide, is the palpable sense that in many cases, it is preventable.
"It's been 12 years since I was told my dad had died by suicide. Until that very moment, my understanding of suicide was what I had seen in films or TV.
"I never thought it would impact me closely, let alone in such a direct and devastating way.
Helen's father, Robin Westwood
"Twelve years on, I am still navigating through the vast emotions that not only encompass grief but with the added complexities of being bereaved by suicide," says Helen.
"We are starting to talk more about mental health, and I am so pleased to see the conversation changing. But are we prepared to ask those uncomfortable questions?"
Helen ends in her blog: "I would give anything for the opportunity to have helped him.
"If there is one thing I can do in his memory, it's to continue to raise awareness and encourage people to talk more and ask the difficult questions.
"Maybe if my dad had read a blog like this, his incredible life would still be being lived."
Sonia says no one had any indication that her late husband, Robin Westwood, was planning to take his life.
"He had seemed in a good place and had spent time with his children," said Sonia.
"My only wish is that he had spoken to someone about how he felt. If things aren't right with someone, ask questions.
"By getting help and listening to someone this could save their life. Men don't often talk about how they feel.
"If we prevent one suicide by this, then it has been worth it. "
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