To feel really devastated about this death? *Content warning added by MNHQ: thread concerns suicide*

[squashedalmondcroissant]

I'm not one for being over the top with grief about people I don't know since I only met her briefly but for some reason this has really hit me.

I saw an article today in the local paper about a friend of mine's (ex work colleague) girlfriend who died recently.

It's not been released officially but it's believed she took her own life. She had well documented mental health issues and had become active on social media talking about her struggles with it. She attempted suicide a few years back and fairly recently went to thank the people that helped save her life.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I saw it. She was so young, only mid/late 20's. Had her whole live ahead of her. She seemed like she was feeling better, grateful to be alive and looking forward to the future. I suppose there was also a lot going on that she didn't talk about. I feel so awful for her that she was in so much pain she thought that was her only option. I'm so sad for all those that loved her who now have to live without her.

I'm just really sad 😞

I know who this is, and she's been struggling for many years with her MH. She had awful injuries from her attempt a few years ago, and was clearly in a lot of mental and physical pain. She'd posted recently on Twitter about her struggles.

The poor family, the poor boyfriend, the poor lass. All so bloody awful.

Suicide is really difficult. It affects a big circle, every time.

The NHS booklet Help is at Hand for people bereaved by suicide is online, I think it's very good.

I was debating this with my partner. If for example she had been in her 90's you might have felt differently about it. It's always sad to see someone die young and not enjoy the things we have been able to.

I know who you mean too . I’m gutted for her, her boyfriend and her family . It’s just so bloody sad . Couldn’t believe what I was reading .

Do you all know her?

I know who you mean, she was amazing and I felt a huge amount of admiration and respectful for her. I feel gutted that she is no longer here

@Alliswells I didn't know her personally but followed her on Twitter x

I also know who you mean.

Suicide is so difficult it just reverberates and reverberates.

I've lost a few people to suicide and I've got a friend that I'm pretty sure will eventually mange to kill her self.

One of my other friends (also bereaved by suicide and a psychiatrist) reframes it that many psychiatric diseases are life long, often end with the patient's death by suicide, cause a lot of pain along the way for the affected person and didn't generally have great treatment. If it was a physical ailment we would generally be talking about quality not quantity of life but because it is mental illness and the pain is hidden we don't think about it like that.

It struck a chord. But I still miss my missing friends terribly and it's been years.

I also know whom you mean.

It makes me realise how depression can grip hold of you tightly and not let go even when you desperately want to get better, have a wonderful supportive partner, huge amount of support.

I have never known anyone 'own' what's happened to them so much and show such care and concern to others.

Hugs to anyone struggling.

My Dh stopped someone once. They are now living a great life (kids and grandkids). It is not inevitable.

@Alliswells

Do you all know her?

She spoke out about MH on social media and used their own experiences speaking to emergency services. She gathered a big following because her kindness shone through her pain.

I think that's what makes it so hard @TheMooch, from the outside she seemed to have everything going for her. She had a supportive, devoted family and partner, she was young and beautiful and up until her attempt a few years ago was in good health. I'm sure she was intelligent, articulate and capable of many, many things.

It just does to show that mental health issues are just as serious as physical ones. It reminded me of a time a few years back when I was seriously unwell and planning suicide. I felt like I was being attacked by my own brain, nothing made sense and I felt like I was going mad all the time. I couldn't work, eat or sleep and was so anxious I could barely leave the house.

I'm so, so glad that I didn't do it and managed to come out the other side but my heart just feels broken for all those poor people that weren't so lucky.

I have also seen her on twitter, so sad especially as when I started to follow her she seemed to be on the up, very positive and talking openly about her struggles. Recently she did not seem to have been so positive but still was shocked to read she had died, I have been thinking of her family and partner.

Can you say who?

@Alliswells

Can you say who?

I assume OP means Beth Matthews.

So beyond sad, I follow her too 🤍

Terribly sad. 😔 I thought she was in a private hospital receiving treatment?

@TyrannosaurusFlex yes you are right.

Suicide, especially in someone so young , is always a shock, even if you didn't know that person personally, always resonates. It's so cruel and brings out so many emotions that many of us don't like to confront x
Just tragic x

I followed her on twitter too and was very sad to hear of her death

I always think the only blessing with is they are finally at peace. The poor woman was tormented. Having an ongoing mental health issue is like having a bird pecking at your head constantly. It’s horrific. The trouble is those that are left behind now suffer. It’s just awful.

I had to bite my tongue when someone told me that someone very close to me was at peace now. They left the rest of us in torment.

Samaritans
Winstons Wish

Both good charities that can help.

Good morning. If anyone is struggling with the issues mentioned on this thread, here is a link to our Mental Health resources. You can also go to the Samaritans website or email them on [email protected].

This is so sad, I just read some of her blog about her failed suicide attempt a few years where she was left severely injured and her recovery afterwards.

It was hard reading through what her thoughts were leading up to the attempt and then afterwards and how she seemed so optimistic.

Her last Twitter post suggested she had really been struggling recently