Why I do what I do - An acknowledgement on World Suicide Prevention Day

It's World Suicide Prevention Day and I want to share a bit about my personal story.

There's still so much stigma attached to mental health. We're encouraged to talk, but often people don't want the brutally honest answers and feelings. And now more than ever, it's important to know we are not alone.

Three and a half years ago I was sat in A & E with a mental health crisis. I'd had a slew of experiences that affected me and I just didn't deal with them. From being at the scene of a terror attack and the subsequent online harassment I faced, to the stress of working in newsrooms in the following years with more terror attacks, the cost of living crisis, Covid, the war in Ukraine and other stories. Then there was the lack of support when I made a complaint of sexual harassment in the workplace, and the loss of my beloved Grandad. One of those things is a lot for one person to face - but in the space of 6 years it was too much.

I was on the brink. My mind had taken on a lot, and my body just stopped working because of it. Was I considering suicide? You'll see a lot today about asking the question "Are you feeling suicidal?"

It's such an important question to ask, but it's a really difficult one to answer. When I was in A & E I was asked "Do you want to hurt yourself?" And the honest answer was no, I just wanted the pain to stop. So although I said no, if the only way to make it stop was to end it all - then isn't that a yes? It's such a complex answer to give when you don't understand why you feel the way you do. And sometimes people aren't prepared to hear the difficult answer if someone says "Yes I am suicidal."

It's so important for me to break that stigma that still lies around mental health and suicide. It's why I do the work that I do. It's why I work with charities and faith organisations - things I'm really passionate about and can give my all to. I found my purpose after hitting rock bottom. And it's why I bring mental health into my workshops and facilitation - because if you're on social media, working on the frontline during a crisis and constantly dealing with difficult stories, it's important you not only have the professional skills, but the support to be able to carry them out properly. It's why I gave my Tedx talk - because I never wanted anyone to feel as alone as I did. And it's why I continue to speak openly.

Without these conversations we are lost. So today - and every day - let's be open and honest, and prepared to listen.

I only have so many characters on here, but below you'll find some of my history which you may find helpful in understanding more of my story and what I do:

2024 - Tedx Talk - Who are you when you give up your dreams? Life beyond the newsroom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcSVQzycKcQ
2026 - Launching The Social Media Frontline https://music.youtube.com/podcast/UreeUbDQVvg
2026 - Reinvention and recovery through crisis comms https://rss.com/podcasts/the-reinvention-diaries/3096385/