‘My troubled son attempted to take his life’
ON JANUARY 15 2013, Michelle Broomer answered the door to two police officers. They suggested that she sit down as they went on to tell her that “my tall, handsome, intelligent but deeply troubled 24-year-old son had attempted to take his own life”.
Addressing supporters of mental health charity Jami at a fundraising brunch at York & Albany in Camden, Mrs Broomer recalled that her son was airlifted in critical condition to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.
On arrival, she was handed an envelope containing his personal effects. A policewoman took her hand and wished her long life.
“My rabbi arrived, my family arrived. We sat and we waited for over six hours. Shortly before 2am I was taken to see my son. He was unrecognisable, save for his fingers.”
During the close-on eight weeks that he was on a life-support system, Jami staff supported Mrs Broomer, the charity having previously assisted her son, whom she said had gone from “a qui- et, sensitive, shy little boy into a near impossible teenager and psychotic young man”.
When he was transferred to the Royal Free in Hampstead, Jami offered “facts, legalities, support, advice and courage. Without Jami, I couldn’t have managed that dreadful year and wouldn’t have the strength or insight to continue to support my son now.”
Although “currently well, he remains a revolving door patient. He is being massively failed by statutory services but he is far from alone”.
The brunch, which raised more than £25,000, was hosted by Daniela Pears, Susanne Kahn and Susie Olins.
Tanya Harris, Jami’s head of services, discussed the changing landscape of mental-health services and its impact on the charity’s work. “I believe that thanks to the support from the Jewish community, we are becoming leaders in the field. We are delivering services that other organisations can only dream of, especially if they rely solely on statutory funding.”