Tributes flood in for young mental health blogger from Cornwall who has died
Beth Matthews used her own struggles to help raise awareness
Tributes are being paid to a young mental health blogger from Cornwall who has died.
Beth Matthews used her own experiences and struggles to help campaign and raise awareness about mental health issues.
The young woman, in her twenties, created a blog called Life Beyond The Ledge following an attempt to take her own life in 2019.
Posting on her blog, Beth wrote: "I used to be found either on the water, on the slopes or up a rock face somewhere and I hope that one day, through my recovery I will be able to return to that.
"Through this blog I will hopefully be showing some insight into the reality of mental health difficulties and also the physical challenges I now face."
Last year Beth met the police officer who saved her life and tweeted that it 'meant the world'.
It is understood that Beth passed away on Monday (21st March) and people have been paying their respects on social media.
Dave wrote online: "RIP Beth - you were an amazing person who raised so much awareness. Thoughts to Matt & her family and friends."
Another person posted: "RIP Beth. You touched many lives here and beyond I’m sure. Nothing can ever be enough to say around losing you. Thinking of everyone around you rn, family, bf, friends and all who knew you here."
Jasmine added: "Just heard the horrendous news about Beth Matthews - I’m so sorry. Lost for words to be honest. How devastating."
And someone else wrote: "I'm shocked and very saddened to hear the news about Beth. RIP @BethMatthewsz . You will be soo missed. You were so inspirational and were so kind and thoughtful."
Further information for anyone struggling with their mental health:
• 24/7 NHS mental health response line for support and advice: Call free on 0800 038 5300, any time day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help.
• A range of mental wellbeing guides are available on Cornwall Council's mental health webpages. They cover everything from childhood through to older age, pregnancy to suicidal thoughts.
• Outlook South West, which is part of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has a range of talking therapy services available to people aged 16 and above in Cornwall who experience mild to moderate worry, anxiety and low mood. Outlook South West offers courses (Stress Buster, Finding Yourself Again), guided self-help with clinicians via telephone, video and digital platforms (SilverCloud), and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) appointments. You can refer yourself to Outlook South West by calling on 01208 871905 or completing an online referral form.
• Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has 12 free online self-help courses that anyone can take from a platform called ‘SilverCloud’.
• Charities including Valued Lives, Pentreath, and Mind contain a wealth of information aimed at helping people with mental health difficulties.
• For tips, support and advice on all things health-related visit the Healthy Cornwall website.
• For mental health safety plans and a list of Apps to support you with your mental health, visit Cornwall Council's online mental health safety planning information
• If you are in crisis and need support then contact your GP or NHS Direct on 111.
Other support available includes:
• Valued Lives – 01209 901438
• Samaritans – 116 123
• SANE – 0845 767800
• Papyrus – for young adults – 0800 0684141
• CALM – for men – 0800 585858
• Childline – for under 19s – 0800 1111
• Community Mental Health Team – 0845 2077711