Be Here Tomorrow - A Life Saver
Last updated 23rd Mar 2021
All you ever want to do as a journalist is make a difference, well that’s all I ever want to do at least.
Have a positive impact, change something for good.
It’s a few weeks now since we aired my #BeHereTomorrow special report around male suicide in the North East.
If you haven’t read about it all the details are here
You can listen to the special podcast now:
A few days after it was on the radio we received an email from a man who literally said he was on his way to kill himself but stopped, because he was listening to it.
If you can't quite read that from the picture it says:
"Hi I don't know who this is supposed to go to but I hope it reaches the correct person, don't even know where to start but here goes. On Sunday night I went for a drive with the intent of never returning home, with a bag full of pills and a bottle of vodka thinking life is so unfair and I can't cope anymore. For some strange reason whilst looking for a place to end all I turned on the radio to NightOwls and what came on was what could only say was a sign from above. You had a section on male suicide and the stats of all male suicide in the North East, you had a gentleman on talking of his problems and ready to jump from the Tyne Bridge, as I listened I got more and more into it. This ending in my thoughts being why? Why am I doing this, who is getting hurt when I leave this world, so as a result I decided to check into a hotel and think of what could be if I keep going. I have now since talked to the right people today and feel a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders, the police were fantastic and mental health were even better. All I can say is if I never turned my radio on, tuned into your show, and listened to something that is never talked about from any man, I would not be here today.
Many thanks for all your support even though you didnt even know you were there for me."
I was quite emotional reading that back to be honest, I've now contacted him and we're going to meet soon and have a chat.
I knew what we put together was pretty powerful and I hoped it would reach and help people, but I never thought we’d get anything back like that.
I know he's grateful to us, but really I’m grateful to him. I’m so glad he got help, so glad he’s still here.
When you do stories you never really get to know the impact they have, so hearing first hand has been great.
We still have major issues when it comes to suicide in the North East and mental health issues – hopefully we’ve started a conversation that will keep going, and hopefully we’ve helped more people like the man above.
If you need to speak to somebody urgently then the Samaritans provide support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
You can call them FREE on 116 123