Mum of Dundee student who took his own life speaks about her ‘gentle’ son

Dec 16, 2019 | Abertay, Abertay University, Depression, Not in Vain for Lee, Suicide, Suicide Prevention

In early 2018 the friends and family of Conor Steel were left heartbroken when they learned the 24-year-old had taken his own life.

The Abertay University gaming student had been racked with severe depression for most of his adolescence and adult life.

But despite this it still came as a massive shock to those who knew him when he was found by a friend in his student accommodation in Dundee.

Now his mum, Frances Beck and university friends, are working hard in his name to ensure that no other young person feels so alone again that they feel there is no other way out.

In particular the city charity Feeling Strong, run exclusively by young people for young people is launching its Mind, Body and Goal campaign on January 2nd.

Although aimed at every young person it will be focusing particularly on boys and young men, because they are generally speaking less likely to be open about their mental health problems.

Stephanie Carney, a fourth year student at Abertay, and close friend of Conor is Feeling Strong’s campaign and lobbying lead.

**Stephanie Carney is behind a mental health support group for students at Abertay.**

The 23-year-old psychology and counselling student said: “Conor’s death was dreadful.

“It left us all heartbroken. It was at that time that his mum and I decided to do everything we could to provide support for other young people.

“We didn’t know how to go about it initially but in November last year Feeling Strong was developed, led by Brook Marshall.

“We have been involved with many young people ever since and although we couldn’t provide counselling we point people in the right direction.”

Stephanie added: “It’s a very sad fact that young men are much less likely than young women to speak about their mental health worries.

“Our latest campaign is aimed at getting the message across the boys that it is okay to ask for help.

“Conor had tried to ask for help. He did go to the doctor but he was just given medication.

“What he really needed was someone to listen to him.”

Conor’s mum, Frances, said that while she had been aware that her son had gone through many difficult times with depression while growing up she believed that when he came to Dundee to study gaming he had really turned a corner and was happy and felt at home in the city.

“His course was going well and he had made a lot of good, like-minded friends.

“He was the happiest I had ever seen him.”

Frances said that when Conor was at school he was an easy target for bullies with his gentle nature, red hair and glasses.

He struggled through his primary years and things became even worse when he went to secondary school in his hometown in Stewarton in Ayrshire.

While he was in Dundee Conor went to the doctor to talk about his worries.

She said: “He was given medication and when that didn’t work he was given more stronger medication and basically sent away and told to get on with it.

“I have no doubt Conor would have benefited from being educated about mental health and how to effectively cope with that stress.

“His story could have been so very different if he’d had that support at that key stage of his life.

“Had his mental health problems been prevented or had he been given targeted early intervention support, it’s highly unlikely that he would have taken his own life.”

She added: “It’s important for schools to involve children and young people in leading their peers in mental health programmes to encourage them to support each other and help break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

“Schools should also embed a system of regularly measuring the levels of wellbeing of the whole school community to identify problems at an early stage.

“Support should be provided by mental health support workers who work within each school community.

“Heartbreakingly, none of this will bring back my son, but it will go a long way in ensuring that the lives of other young people are not so tragically ended.”

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Suicide prevention notes make a different as Dundee mum has first success story

Dec 10, 2019 | Not in Vain for Lee, Suicide, Suicide Prevention, The Devious Mind

A young mum’s bid to bring happiness to someone’s day has had its first major success.

Sophie McCutcheon, 23, from Lochee, struggles with crippling depression and has recently set about helping others in a similar situation.

Just a couple of weeks ago Sophie launched her Love from a Stranger project,

This saw her leaving dozens of inspirational notes around Dundee for those in need.

Now Sophie has spoken out about the first message she has received from a recipient of one of her notes.

The message to Sophie was from someone who also suffers severely from depression.

It said: “I found one of your cards last week. I found it on one of my really bad days.

“I was recently diagnosed with depression and it was nice to know that a stranger who is suffering the same mental health problems as myself and was kind enough to leave something small but it had a big impact on me.

“I’ve kept it in my memory box to look at when I do have a dark day.

“Just to know that there are people out there that care, and that I can get through this..

“So thank you from the bottom of my heart. I took it as a sign from my loved ones up above that I can keep going.”

Sophie said: “It was incredible to receive the message.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this achievement.

“It really warmed my heart to know that I was able to help someone who is in the same situation as my own.

“Something as small as my notes of kindness really can make a difference, and knowing that it did have such a big impact on them is the reason why I am doing this.

“I really hope they can lift the spirits of those who need them.”

Sophie’s project began as a result of her own 10-year battle with depression and anxiety.

She recently began her blog The Devious Mind which she hopes will be her own place of sanctuary that could help others.

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Tay Bridge bosses to look again at suicide prevention measures for the crossing

Nov 21, 2019 | Not in Vain for Lee, Public health, Suicide, Suicide Prevention, Tay Bridge

Tay Road Bridge bosses will look again at ways of adding suicide prevention measures to the crossing.

Councillor Stewart Hunter said he was prepared to once more raise concerns with fellow board members over people heading to the bridge in times of crisis.

The move is in response to criticism from mental health campaigner Phil Welsh, whose son Lee took his own life in 2017.

Mr Welsh had accused bridge bosses of putting money before lives, after Tay Road Bridge chairwoman Lynne Short claimed an engineers’ report showed the “cost and inconvenience” of installing barriers was too prohibitive.

Mr Hunter, who preceded Ms Short as chairman, then wrote a letter to the Tele saying that finance “has never been a consideration with regards to adding barriers”.

He said: “The issue is that the bridge cannot support the additional weight and therefore it would compromise the integrity of the structure.”

In a letter to Mr Hunter, Mr Welsh said: “I would like to be provided with the commissioned engineering report which states that barriers cannot be put in place as this may compromise the structural integrity of the bridge.

“I would appreciate that at the next board meeting there is a very specific discussion in regard to what provision can be put in place as a means to deter people in crisis presenting themselves on the wrong side of the walkway.

“A view from engineers will simply not suffice.

“The public is demanding a commissioned survey to determine if remedial work can be carried out to strengthen the bridge, which in turn would enable physical deterrents to be installed.”

Mr Hunter said: “I will raise the issues again at the next meeting of the Tay Bridge Board.”

By Lindsey Hamilton

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Grieving Dundee dad accuses Tay Bridge bosses of putting a price on people’s lives

Nov 9, 2019 | Dundee City Council, Lynn Short, NHS, NHS failures, Not in Vain for Lee, SNP, Suicide, Suicide Prevention, Tay Bridge

A grieving dad who lost his son to suicide has accused Tay Road Bridge bosses of putting “cost and inconvenience” before lives.

Phil Welsh, whose son Lee took his own life in 2017, has called for suicide prevention measures on the bridge.

But he was told barriers could not be installed due to the huge expense and significant traffic disruption the work would cause.

Phil Welsh with a picture of his late son Lee.

Phil, who is also campaigning for a 24/7 refuge centre in Dundee, said: “Every other day there are reports of people being present on the bridge and we are all very clear what their intentions are.

“I got in touch with Councillor Lynne Short, chairwoman of the Tay Road Bridge Board, and received a response which left me very concerned.”

In an email to Phil, seen by the Tele, Ms Short said engineering consultants had been approached last year about the implications of installing barriers.

“It is estimated that full design costs would be in the order of £250,000, with actual construction costs in the order of £8 million,” Ms Short wrote.

“To strengthen and install the barriers would be hugely disruptive and take in the order of one year, with the bridge reduced to single-lane traffic for this time (six months per side).

“It should also be noted that while such work might deter someone intent on harming themselves, it would in no way guarantee that they would not be able to.”

Phil accused officials of putting money before human life.

He said: “It would appear changes could be put in place to prevent people climbing over on to the other side of the walkway, but cost and inconvenience appear to supersede crisis.

“The saving of a single life should supersede these factors.”

Phil Welsh has been left heartbroken by his son’s suicide.

Speaking to the Tele, Ms Short said: “We take the welfare of every bridge user, especially those who are vulnerable or in crisis, extremely seriously. Every single suicide is a human tragedy.

“We are acutely aware the Tay Road Bridge has become a focal point for people in crisis.

“The bridge manager and his team are dedicated to supporting vulnerable people who present at the bridge, backed by investment in new cameras in 2017 and a thorough training programme for all staff.

“Although bridge availability has been affected on many occasions to allow staff and police to deal with incidents, actual suicides are rare.

“Bridge staff regularly attend suicide prevention meetings to discuss how we all might contribute to suicide reduction across the region, and act on any new initiatives that are applicable to the bridge.

“Any physical measures introduced to the bridge have to be effective and while these might deter someone intent on harming themselves, it would in no way guarantee they would not be able to.

“What is critical is that people who are having suicidal thoughts have someone or somwhere they can turn to when these thoughts become overwhelming so that they do not get to the point of acting on them.”

Superintendent Graeme Murdoch of Police Scotland told the Tele that in the three months to the end of September this year, officers responded to 60 reports of concern for people on the bridge.

Last year, the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board published a Q&A explaining why suicide prevention measures had not been installed, saying barriers were “not practical” due to the 52-year-old structure being unable to support the additional weight.

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Oct 7, 2019 | Crisis Centre, Not in Vain for Lee, Police Scotland, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide Prevention, Tay Bridge

A dad who lost his son to suicide has insisted more must be done to help those in crisis.

Phil Welsh, whose son Lee took his own life, has been campaigning for a 24/7 refuge centre for the past two years.

But as of yet, there is still no facility in place in Dundee – something Phil insists can’t go on.

People are suffering from mental health issues across the city on a daily basis, with Police Scotland stats revealing the force has dealt with dozens of incidents where people have contemplated taking their own life in the past three months.

There have been 60 incidents on the Tay Road Bridge alone over that period and Phil said more must be done to help those in need.

He said: “It’s very concerning that so many people get so desperate they find themselves contemplating suicide.

“We should be providing somewhere for people to turn to when they feel suicidal, so they don’t end up in that situation.

“Something needs to change so people having a mental health crisis can have immediate access to support.”

According to Superintendent Graeme Murdoch, based in Dundee, there are still too many people who think taking their own life is their only option.

When an incident is called in at the Tay Road Bridge, a full emergency operation is launched with police, the ambulance service, the Broughty Ferry lifeboats and the coastguard all called upon to assist.

He said: “The numbers are too high.

“In my opinion if one person goes to the bridge when they are desperate and feeling suicidal that is too high.

“Half of the 60 calls led to some form of police intervention because they were giving serious cause for concern. Nine of those people were on the wrong side of the barrier and three had to be rescued from the water.”

Supt Murdoch said that the police were usually the frontline when dealing with someone in this level of crisis.

To give the police negotiators the space and peace to talk to the person in difficulty they are often forced to close the bridge.

But Supt Murdoch shared the harsh reality of the issues dealt with by police dealing with the incidents – with some heckling police as well as those in need during tailbacks.

He said: “We have officers trained for this and they find themselves negotiating with the person in difficulty.

“Our priority is to save a life and if that means the bridge is closed then it will be.

“Officers often can’t approach the person too closely and with the traffic noise added to the weather on the bridge it can just be too noisy.

“Sadly and unbelievably we have also had instances of passers-by shouting to the person just to jump.”

Dundee mental health nurse Ashley Bonini, who is also behind the Let’s Talk Tayside group, has backed calls for more to be done to help those who are at their lowest point.

She said: “We should be picking up on early signs and using interventions such as anxiety and depression management.

“Exercise and music therapy could be used more.

“Not every one needs medication for mental health.

“First of all we should be trying to use our own skills to de-escalate these feeling or thoughts, or having a nurse or support worker going through different coping strategies and promoting person-centred empowerment to give people hope.”

Five years on and no closer to diagnosis

Leanne, 37, from Menzieshill contemplated taking her own life but, through support from services and those around her, she managed to come out the other side.

At her lowest, it proved to be a conversation with a colleague which was the intervention she needed.

But Leanne, a civil servant, has admitted to being no further forward in getting the help she needs to get better.

She said: “I have been going back and forward to the doctor and to mental health centres in Dundee for the past five years.

“I’m still no nearer to having an official diagnosis of my condition.

“Four different professionals have given my possible condition from being bipolar to having ADHD or a borderline personality disorder.

“However, two weeks ago I left the doctor no further forward and I was definitely having suicidal thoughts.

“I felt suicidal, however I ended up speaking to my boss who was fantastic.

“If he hadn’t been there for me I could well have ended up on the bridge in a desperate bid to try to get the help I know I need.”

An NHS spokeswoman said: “Each suicide is a tragedy and the impact on those left behind lasts a lifetime.

“Anyone can become suicidal; the reasons can be different and very complex and it is not always due to mental illness.

“If people are feeling suicidal, the best thing to do is talk and tell someone how they are feeling. Speak to someone you can trust or call a helpline.

“If you’re worried that someone else is suicidal, ask them – asking someone directly about their feelings can help them.”

You can also call the Samartians on 116 123.

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Hundreds back petition calling for action to make Tay Road Bridge safer

Jul 2, 2019 | Dundee City Council, Mental Health, NHS, NHS failures, Not in Vain for Lee, Suicide, Suicide Prevention, Tay Bridge

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for action to make the Tay Road Bridge safer for people who are thinking of ending their lives.

An online petition demanding measures are put in place to make it harder for people to consider using the bridge to take their own lives.

The Change.org petition has amassed nearly 400 signatures at time of writing, with a target of 500.

It calls for measures such as barriers to be installed in protect vulnerable people.

Michael Low started the petition after a friend took their own life.

He said: “My personal mission is to take this to the authorities.

“The fact is there needs to be higher fencing or other materials or methods to ensure that the Tay Road Bridge is no longer available in a person’s hour of distress.”

The petition has been backed by Phil Welsh, who lost his son Lee to suicide in August 2017.

Phil said: “The bridge needs to be looked at with the evidence that things like barriers can’t be put in place.

“As well as supporting the petition, I have sent a letter to the bridge board asking about protections on the bridge. I haven’t heard anything back yet.

“We’re just trying to keep the conversation going as much as we can because there’s a lot more that can be done to help people in need.

“We’ve also been campaigning for a 24-hour crisis centre, like in Edinburgh.

“I do think they should look at what can be done at the bridge, with barriers being a big one. If it is the case that they can’t put barriers in place then that’s fine, but I would like to see evidence supporting that.

“All routes should be followed before making a decision.

“The grassroots support should be there to help people before they get to that stage, but there should still be something at the bridge.”

Officials from the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board have examined such measures and ultimately decided it was not feasible to make any substantial changes to the bridge’s structure.

The bridge deck cantilevers — long beams or girders commonly used in bridge construction — would be unable to support additional barriers because of the strain windy weather would put on them, it has been claimed.

Board vice-chairman Jonny Tepp said the bridge management are actively looking at ways to make the bridge safe.

“They do their best to make themselves aware of what action can be taken,” the Liberal Democrat councillor for Tay Bridgehead said.

Dundee City Council also launched an online campaign last month highlighting where people can go for support if they are having suicidal thoughts.

If you need help, or need someone to talk to, a Samaritans volunteers can help.
Contact them on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.

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