May 15th 2024.
Will's life changed forever when he lost both of his grandfathers to suicide. It's a heartbreaking experience that stays with him to this day, and he believes it's important to go beyond just asking someone if they're okay. Will, who is a footballer, was only 13 years old when his golf game was interrupted by a sudden feeling of sadness. He knew he needed to be with his family, and when his mom arrived to pick him up, she had devastating news to share – their grandad Tom had taken his own life. Will can still vividly remember that day in 2006, despite having a terrible memory in general. It was a confusing time for him as a young teenager, and he had many questions about why this happened. Losing a loved one to suicide is a different kind of grief, filled with stress, anguish, and worry. Will couldn't help but wonder if there was something he could have done to prevent it.
Tom Vaulks, Will's paternal grandfather, was a happy-go-lucky man from the outside. He was always there for his grandchildren, letting them get away with anything and staying up late with them. But there was a side to Tom that no one saw – the deep pain he was living with. Will remembers him as a working-class man who never talked about his feelings. He had even attempted suicide six months before his death, which was a shock to the family. It's something they will never have answers to – was it severe depression, or was it the result of PTSD from his time working in the mines?
Just 13 months later, tragedy struck again when Will's maternal grandfather, Hywel, also took his own life. Looking back, Will can see that he had planned it beforehand. The night before, Hywel had come to watch Will play football, but he left right after the game instead of staying to chat like he usually did. Will's mom, Ruth, went to check on him that night, and he told her he loved her. It's something that has stayed with her, leaving her with questions and wondering if she could have done something differently. The next morning, a call from Ruth's mom marked another unforgettable day for Will – his grandma couldn't find his grandad, and the police were called. It was later discovered that he had taken his own life.
The aftermath of both suicides was devastating for Will's family. His mom's mental health suffered, and his grandmother had a breakdown that she never fully recovered from. It was especially tough for Ruth, losing both of her parents to suicide. Will remembers feeling angry, wondering how his grandad could do this to his family. He believes that suicide leaves behind a mess that is unfathomable, and it's something he wishes his grandads could have seen before making their decision.
Now, Will is determined to make a difference and prevent others from experiencing the same devastation. He has participated in the suicide prevention march Baton of Hope and will be speaking at the charity's first annual conference. He also plans to train in suicide prevention, as he knows how to do CPR in case of a heart attack but wouldn't know how to help someone who is struggling with thoughts of taking their own life. Will has learned the importance of asking friends how they are really doing, especially in a male-dominated environment where men tend to hide their feelings. He believes that the hard thing to do is to be open and talk about what's going on. And if someone is struggling, Will wants them to know that suicide is never the answer. There is always someone who loves and cares for them, and there are resources available to help.
Will's grandfathers missed out on so much, and he believes that if they could see the impact their actions had on their loved ones, they would have found the strength to keep going. Will's message is clear – we must make suicide prevention everyone's business.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
