NOW READ HER MUM’S INSPIRING STORY

I’M JUST a mum. I will always care for and protect my daughter. But when I think back to the darkest days of 2017, I am filled with feelings of anger and disbelief.

We went through so much to try to mend Melissa but every day brought different challenges.

It is heartbreaking to see your amazing daughter in so much pain when there is nothing you can do to fix it. I lived in constant fear of what would come next and the whole family was shattered, physically and emotionally.

Finding help for Melissa was so hard. It took a lot to convince her she needed help and then, when we did ask for it, initially it wasn’t there. We were caught in a vicious circle: professionals weren’t prepared to support Melissa’s mental health, as they felt her drinking was the problem.

They couldn’t see that I, too, was desperate for their support — and

that I was capable of speaking for Melissa when she didn’t have the energy to fight for herself. To be told that the quickest way to get support would be to have her sectioned or lock her out of our home left me terrified for her future.

I didn’t know what else to do but keep her in the house. I felt I’d let her down and worried immensely what would happen to her if her sister and I weren’t around. The system let her down and I believe change is desperately needed: people shouldn’t be left to struggle as we were.

But through it all, I never gave up hope that my beautiful Melissa would return to me. Whether she fell off a slide as a child, was unwell or worried about something, I’d be there for her and I always will be.

I wouldn’t wish our experience on any family. But I hope others can read our story and see that there is hope.

It takes time and it’s painful to watch your child go through so much, but they will return to you when they are given the right support. Things can get better. We’re the proof of that.

Today our relationship is as strong as ever and we have time to look forward to a much brighter future.