I lost my Dad, Paul to suicide just over 9 years ago, when I was only
25 years old.The time that has lapsed doesn’t make the hurt any less or the pain any weaker. To me pain is pain. I never thought this would happen to me and why would I. To be put in a situation at such a young age, where the person I looked up to, loved and adored would no longer be around to join me on my life journey.

The news came as a complete shock with a feeling of helplessness, hurt, anger, emptiness and a question of WHY? An answer I will never get.

A topic so raw and un-relatable to a lot of the people closest to me at the time, I struggled putting words to my emotions, feeling comfortable to talk about losing my dad, as that for me would make what had happened a reality, something I didn’t want to come to terms with. Instead over the years I have suppressed my feelings, continued with life and sadly never fully mourned my Dad and his memory over the years.

To my own determent and fears of being vulnerable & open I have suffered with various mental health issues over the years.

Today I am facing my fears head on having accepted what happened and continuing my journey with my own family, making my dad proud.

I have chosen to fundraise for Grief Encounter to encourage anyone that has been through a similar situation and finds talking about what has happened or how they are feeling difficult, telling someone that your mental health is suffering or asking somebody you think might be going through something difficult if they are ok, these conversations might save a life. 

Don’t be fearful, be brave!