Trying to make sense of a tragedy
GRIEVING FAMILY’S HELP FOR BEREAVED CHILDREN
THE family of Alex Johnson have set up a trust in his name to help other youngsters in the region who are dealing with the loss of someone they love.
Alex, 24, lost his life after jumping from the Tyne Bridge in April after suffering from depression and anxiety, while also struggling with epilepsy.
His body was recovered from the River Tyne on May 1 following a major search by loved ones and concerned members of the public.
His devastated family vowed to keep his memory alive and have now set up a trust in his name in conjunction with If U Care Share Foundation – a charity set up by Shirley Smith after she lost her son Daniel O’Hare in 2005.
Alex, from Chester-le-Street, struggled to come to terms with the loss of his dad Steven, who died of a rare form of cancer at the age of 38 when Alex was just six years old.
The new trust will provide dedicated bereavement care to children who have lost someone close to them – something that was not available to Alex at the time of his dad’s death.
Sister Ashleigh Marr, 30, believes a lack of support to help with his heartbreak was one of the main factors behind him taking his own life.
She said: “Dad was struggling with cancer for a while. When he passed away we didn’t get any support. We had no idea what to do.
“Alex always had an unsolved pain as a result and his mental health suffered badly. I feel it was the primary cause to him taking his own life.
“The lack of mental health support services was disgusting. They were non-existent.
“We are still coming to terms with the loss of Alex.
“I think it is very important that Alex’s name lives on. When he died it was devastating for all our family and friends.”
Alex’s family said he had been badly affected by his epilepsy diagnosis, which stopped him from driving. This also had an impact on his mental health as he suffered from anxiety and depression. He struggled after his grandma and grandad died a short time after his dad had passed away.
His best friend Zak Henry also lost his life two years ago and Alex spent much of his time on his friend’s memorial bench at the Black Horse pub in his hometown of Chester-le-Street.
A memorial bench for Alex is expected to be installed next to
Zak’s in the New Year after friend Jill Hedley raised more than £800 by taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.
Alex had also been let go by the firm he worked for as a welder just two weeks before he went missing following an expiration of his contract.
Mum-of-two Ashleigh feels the trust is what “kind and caring” Alex would have wanted – to help others who are traumatised by a bereavement at a young age.
She said: “All Alex wanted to do is help people. He always cared for everyone and put himself last. He was sociable and was a family man too.
“I know that Alex would want nothing more than to help other children who are faced with devastating losses at such a young age. We are hoping this funding will provide regular counselling sessions.
“No words can put it into context at how big a hole he has left in our family. We have our first Christmas without him to deal with soon.”
The family has already raised more than £4,000 from kind donations during the search when Alex went missing and from his funeral in May.
The new counselling sessions will be funded through organised events in Alex’s name with his family are desperate to help young people who suffer the way Alex did.
Ashleigh added: “I feel if Alex had help when he was little then he probably wouldn’t have taken his own life. Suicide is a huge issue and there needs to be more support available.
“If we can change the life of one person then it will be all worthwhile. To make sure no one had to go through what Alex has been through.”
People who want to help can contact Ashleigh directly on her Facebook page.
Anyone experiencing problems similar to Alex can call The Samaritans free of charge on 116 123.
We are still coming to terms with the loss of Alex. When he died it was devastating for our family and friends
Ashleigh Marr