17: Aidan's Story- The Truth Behind The Smiles

*Disclaimer Talks About Depression, Self Harm, Suicide and More*Hi. I'm Aidan and if it weren't for my best friend I would be dead. I am and have been secretly struggling in an ongoing battle with depression. In November 2022, I experienced a mental breakdown, where I started to self-harm and have suicidal thoughts. They weren't a new thing either, I've been feeling these feelings for years. I just kept quiet and let them build up over the years. Until... BANG! It all explodes and leaves me drowning in those emotions. It got harder and harder to cope with. Until it all got too much and I started to plan out, think about and question suicide. I got so close to going through with it. If it wasn't for my ex-girlfriend... I'd be dead. If she hadn't sat there and talked me out of it, spent her time trying to save me... I would've gone through with it. It was that close. A complete scare of a lifetime. To my parents, my friends, Sharkey, my family, and most especially me. Even now I'm not in the clear, I will never fully recover from this illness. But with the support of my ex-girlfriend, my parents, Sharkey and my other loved ones, I will persevere through it. Helplines:NHS Help for Suicidal Thoughts If you're feeling like you want to die, it's important to tell someone.  Help and support are available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.The Samaritans Tel:  116 123 www.samaritans.org Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year.  We provide a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however, they feel, whatever life has done to them. Please call 116 123 email [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of the nearest branch.hCALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)Helpline:  0800 58 58 58 www.thecalmzone.netSuicide The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) works to prevent male suicide and offers support services for any man who is struggling or in crisis.  CALM’s helpline 0800 58 58 58 and web chat are for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. The services are open from 5 pm-midnight daily and are free, anonymous and confidential. For access or to find more information visit thecalmzone.netShout Text Shout to 85258 www.giveusashout.org Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.  It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate helpMind: 0300 123 3393 www.mind..org.ukSide by side - online support community The MindinfoLine offers thousands of callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues.  Mind helps people take control of their mental health. We do this by providing high-quality information and advice and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone. They also provide a special legal service to the public, lawyers and mental health workers.Papyrus HOPELINEUK – 0800 068 4141 Text – 07860 039967www.papyrus-uk.orgKooth.com www.kooth.com