Mum whose son took own life in charity bid to prevent suicides
THE mother of a young man who took his own life has launched a foundation in his name to help people “who are the most vulnerable to suicide”.
Jacob Abraham, from Cardiff, died on October 11, 2015, at the age of 24. His death devastated both his family and friends.
In a public outpouring of grief and tributes hours after his death, candles were lit and many pictures, flowers, cards and balloons were left at the railings of Splott Park in Tremorfa.
But perhaps the greatest tribute to Jacob was the charity set up by his family to help people with suicidal thoughts and families who have been devastated by suicide.
The Jacob Abraham Foundation was officially launched at the Old Splott Library by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff on Wednesday.
Its aims include helping young people suffering from anxiety, depression and overwhelming feelings of despair, as well as raising awareness about mental health and removing the stigma around suicide and mental health.
Jacob’s mum Nicola Abraham said: “We have got four different strands of the foundation.
“We do one-to-one well-being consultations.
“It’s on a self-referral basis. If people are thinking of suicide or have made attempts, we will work with them and see family, friends and GPs to get them through that immediate risk.
“Since September we have seen 15 or 16, mainly young men, who have come into the service who we have supported.”
Less than a year after Jacob’s death, his best friend Andrew Norman, 23, took his own life, having never got over the death of his friend.
Nicola said the foundation would also be offering care for those affected by a loved one who had taken their own life.
She said: “Those affected by suicide are the most vulnerable to suicide themselves.
“We want to help people who are the most vulnerable to suicide.”
Nicola said that many young men with suicidal thoughts fell through the safety net of mental health services because they did not present as suicidal.
She added: “We just feel there’s a gap missing, particularly for young men.
“A lot of the young men we have seen, and the same with Jacob, they’re very good at coping, functioning and holding down jobs, so they’re deemed not to be in need of mental health services.
“I feel these men are slipping through the net, and there’s no support and they go on to take their life.
“We’re bridging that gap and we’re open to these type of young men.
“We want to speak openly and honestly about suicide, and we want to remove that stigma surrounding it and to be approachable to someone who is having suicidal thoughts.
“It’s kind of like suicide first aid. It’s about keeping them alive in those crucial hours and days until those suicidal feelings have passed.”
The foundation is also looking to encourage local communities to sign up for suicide first aid training, which helps people to recognise the signs of someone experiencing suicidal feelings.
Nicola said: “The way to help someone is to be open and direct, because you’ll never know until you ask.
“People struggle to say the word suicide and we need to say that word, because you can normalise it and destigmatise.
“It’s encouraging open conversation and talking openly about suicide.
“We said if we can make a difference and save one life and stop a family going through this terrible ordeal then it will be worth it.
“We have saved 15 lives so far, so it’s preventable and it’s all by having simple conversations and listening to someone”
Visit www.jacobsfoundation. org.uk/ for more information about the foundation.