Mother who lost daughter, 14, pleads: ‘Don’t suffer in silence’
A MUM whose 14-year-old daughter died by suicide this year has urged people to seek help if they are feeling depressed at Christmas.
Gráinne Gault also said that those in mourning should take time out to remember the good times with their loved ones.
Gráinne’s daughter, Elisha, died on St Patrick’s Day and her body was recovered from the River Suir on March 25, near her home of Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary.
Gráinne has kept her daughter’s Facebook page as both a memorial to Elisha and as a resource for young people and adults suffering with mental health difficulties.
She urged people who are going through a bad time over Christmas to get help.
‘If you are grieving a loved one, take time and be good to yourself. Allow yourself a moment to sit and reflect on the love you have for them, the memories you shared. Be gentle with yourself.
‘If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out, talk to a friend or loved one, don’t suffer in silence, there are so many organisations, such as Pieta House whose helpline is open.
‘If you are feeling suicidal, go to the outof-hours GP service or an A&E, reach out to somebody and ask for help. You are loved by someone, even if you can’t see it clearly at the moment.’
Ms Gault also posted that Elisha’s friends and family ‘will be digging deep and braving it out, painting on smiles for the days ahead, while hurting inside’.
‘It’s inevitable that this pain will become the norm for all our special dates from here on in,’ she added.