Can I just state at the outset that I do not consider myself to be an expert on death by suicide. I speak only from my limited experience of my own times of suicidality, of having lost a friend by suicide and of having friends who have lost their partners in this way. It is not my intention to offend in any way. Just to raise a few thoughts on the subject. I pray I can be sensitive to those who have, and continue to be affected by suicide.

I’ve been thinking a lot about suicide recently. Not that I’m suicidal, but as a subject it’s been on my mind. I have been considering the subject since I watched the interview with Prince Harry and Meghan. It wasn’t something I’d particularly planned to watch but as my son was watching, I saw it too. Now at the outset, I will say this, I’m not a massive fan of the royal family. They seem to me to be a huge drain on public funds for little return. But that’s just my opinion.

I do however have some sympathy for Harry. He has struck me as a bit of a little lost boy ever since his mother died. And I felt that still in the interview. Desperate to protect his family from what he’d endured as a child. I’d also seen him talk to James Corden prior to the Oprah interview where he admitted his mental health was suffering. You can make comment on Meghan’s acting ability, but Harry? A young man who undertook tours of duty in Afghanistan with the British Army. Who founded a mental health charity and the Invictus Games for veterans. I don’t see what he’d gain by fabricating fake mental ill health.

I’ve seen so much negativity aimed at the pair of them. From the press, I can understand. That’s what they do. But when my socials were filled with judgement and criticism I felt extremely sad. People I considered friends accusing Meghan of faking depression and suicidality. First, who made any of us the judge? Or indeed the psychiatrist? And actually faking mental illness for attention is a form of mental illness too. So you can say she’s faking. But she’s still mental then. Second, if I ever find myself in a place where I’m feeling suicidal again you can guess who I won’t be reaching out to.

Be kind folks. Please be kind. No one knows what is going on for someone else. How many people did your social media put off asking for help.

Because we’re attention seeking apparently.

My friend was told her whole adult life she was attention seeking. The doctors and mental health experts labelled her so. Yes she struggled to manage her symptoms and her distress. But she was ill. And at 37 she died by suicide after dozens of attempts over many years. “If you talk about it, you won’t go through with it” they said. Well, excuse my language, but bollocks. My sweet friend should still be here.

If you should ever be in the situation where someone tells you they are feeling suicidal, please be kind. Don’t judge. Take them seriously. And please help them access support. It’s not always forthcoming and they might need you to speak up for them.

I’ve been suicidal. I don’t say that lightly. It is a terrifying and lonely place to be. But I’ve always come through those times. Thank God I did.

Please be kind 👼🏻