Mum raises awareness of helpline after partner’s death
THE partner of a man who tragically killed himself without showing any signs of depression believes he could still be alive if he had access to the right help.
Darran Evans was walking along the Taff Trail between Abercynon and Cilfynydd when he killed himself in July 2016. It is thought the 40-year-old suffered a suspected nervous breakdown a week before.
He left behind his partner of 17 years, Kate Blackman, their daughter Shannon, 13 and Kate’s son Brandon, 18, who Darran raised from the age of two.
The dad of two, from Treharris, who had been working as a labourer for two years, had shown no public signs of depression leading up to his death.
Kate is now hoping to not only raise awareness of the mental health issues surrounding male suicide, but to make more people aware of a special suicide helpline.
The special needs assistant at Cilfynydd Primary School said: “Losing my partner of almost two decades is the hardest thing I have ever experienced. I had no idea about how Darran had been feeling.
“While he had been down the week before he took his life, everyone thought he would snap out of it, but of course it’s not as simple as that.
“One day he went out for a walk and never came back and in that moment, my life changed completely.”
Male suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 20 to 49 across the UK. Of the total number of suicides registered in the UK in 2015, threequarters (75%) were males – equating to more than 4,600 deaths.
Following Darran’s death, his employer – construction firm Jehu Group – made plans to host a fundraising band night to raise money for suicide prevention charity Calm.
Calm provides help to men who are down or in crisis, as well as support to those bereaved by suicide.
Kate added: “The team at Jehu were brilliant when we lost Darran and we’re so thankful for the help and support that they provided to us at such a difficult time. It was really heartwarming to hear how valued Darran was among his colleagues and we’re really pleased that Jehu has chosen Calm as its charity of the year – it means a lot.
“Calm’s work is so important. Speaking from personal experience, I really hope more people hear about the fantastic work that they do to help those people in Darran’s position before it’s too late. If Darran had known about the charity’s helpline, things might have been different today.”
Simon Jehu, managing director of Jehu Group said: “The rate of suicides among men in Wales has soared to its highest ever level, well above the UK average, and this is something we are passionate about changing, particularly given the loss of one of our employees which makes the issue even closer to our hearts.
“Darran was a much-respected member of the team and he has been sorely missed by everyone that knew him. We wanted to give something back to Darran and help others like him, which is why there was no question in supporting Calm.”
The charity band night will take place on Friday, June 16 at Tramshed Cardiff and tickets are £11.
To purchase tickets visit www. seetickets.com