For many people the festive season is a time to reflect on the past year, and try to make sense of certain events and incidents which helped to shape their family’s life over the previous twelve months.
One family, who hopes this heartwrenching endeavour will benefit thousands of other families, have taken to social media in an effort to use their experience of suicide as a means to prevent others from considering the act.
Brigid Sloan, whose niece Colleen Lagan died on Christmas Day, shared a message on Facebook in the hopes of reaching people who may be in need of support at what many consider a particularly difficult time of the year.
Commenting on her niece’s death which followed the passing of her two cousins Eamon Sloan and Tiernan Basset, Brigid Sloan wrote: “To all you young people out there please think about what you are doing, suicide is not the answer.”
While reflecting on the words of solace offered by well-meaning friends and members of the community, Brigid admits that they can, at times, fall short, especially when considering the heartache endured by those left behind.
“Our three family members had all their lives ahead of them, they are with us no more, people say they are at peace now, and they are happy. All that I know is we are all devastated as a family.”
The family from north Belfast urge youngsters to seek help if they require support with emotional wellbeing or mental health issues, reminding the younger generation: “Depression is curable, death is not.”
Our hearts go out to the Colleen, Eamon and Tiernan’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
