A debt of gratitude after depths of despair

I’VE written a couple of important stories in the past week – although the people I talked to effectively did the hard work for me. But the subject matter, mental health and suicide, needs keeping in the public domain. And that’s why we owe a debt of gratitude to Mark Grosvenor and Levi Crombie.

I try to keep this column lighthearted, with only the occasional foray into more serious territory. The normal day job, however – general news reporting – still involves every facet of life, from joy and happiness to, well...very much the opposite.

I’ve sat in too many inquests not to As for Levi, you can read his story realise that suicide, particularly among today. From the depths of despair – and young people, isn’t going away. But by reaching out – he’s the former it’s preventable, not inevitable – soldier who turned things and it’s vital that message continues around and, by setting up a to be put across. Facebook support group, is

Mark’s son Jason took his now helping others across own life, aged 30. There were the world. no clues as to how he was By selflessly agreeing to feeling, no answers as to why share their stories, both men he did what he did. But have helped keep the topic Mark’s remarkable Facebook in the public eye. I post, telling frankly what had happened truly thank them both and wish and urging people not to suffer in them well. silence, summed the situation up so Contact The Samaritans for free, 24 brilliantly, we reproduced it in full. hours a day, 365 days a year, on 116 123.

Jason Grosvenor