'He went for help but didn't get it and ended his life'

A mental health activist from Limerick says that he has been contacted by a number of young men from Westmeath who feel that they are being let down by the shortcomings in the health system, including one local man who recently died by suicide.

Brian Hayes began his campaign to bring about reform in the mental health sector when he was discharged from hospital in February with a list of contact numbers when he tried to get help after having suicidal thoughts.

A video he posted on social media directly after leaving University College Hospital Limerick on February 7 has been viewed more than 30,000 times and has led to him receiving messages from scores of people, predominantly young men, who too feel as if they are being let down by the mental health system.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, Mr Hayes said that he has been contacted by a number of local young men, who like him, feel that they have not been able to get access to the mental health supports that they need.

Sadly, one of the young Westmeath men who contacted him in February has subsequently died by suicide.

“The poor young fella. He reached out to me. He messaged me. I have been speaking to his family and friends. He was doing well but had his bad days like everyone else. He went for help but didn’t get it and ended his life.

“He was basically given the run-around. He was neglected. He just wanted help. He wanted to better himself, but when he went for help, he didn’t get it and it made him worse. He reached out to me when he was suffering because he could relate to what I was saying.

“He messaged me about six times. He told me to keep my head up and that he’d been there and knew what the system was like. He was really nice and I thanked him.”

He received news of the young man’s death while he was waiting to meet a county councillor in his home city of Limerick.

“I just stared crying because I remember this lad texting me. I did not think he was suicidal. He actually reached out to help me, when he needed help himself. I have read the messages from his story and I tell you he was neglected,” he said.

Brian says that since the young man’s death, he has learned that the deceased man helped other young men who were suffering from mental ill health.

“He was actually a mental health advocate, helping people who were suffering as well. He found me on social media and gave me hope and strength. I am going carry on [the campaign] for him as well.”

Brian has met with a number of politicians in recent months to discus the problems in the mental health system, including Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín.

In addition to trying to improve services for people in mental distress, he has also been providing support to a growing number of people who have got in touch with him through social media, including young men from Westmeath.

While they are waiting to receive professional health, he says that he provides them with some simple but effective advice that has improved his own mental wellbeing since he hit rock bottom in February.

“I tell them come off this, come off that. Get the right vitamins in you, walk, go to the gym. Get a dog, keep active. Eat good food. Go for a swim. If you are not working, try to get a part-time job, or something else to keep you occupied.

Keep physically fit and if you are physically fit you will be emotionally fit. I am also telling people to seek help, get someone else to talk to,” he said.