World Suicide Prevention Day: Laura’s Story and the Urgent Need for Change
Written by Matthew Blackwood
Laura Davis
On 10th September, we come together for World Suicide Prevention Day, a global effort to raise awareness about suicide and push for better mental health support. It’s a time to reflect on the lives lost, to advocate for those still struggling, and to call for action. Today, I want to share the story of Laura, a bright, caring young woman whose life was tragically cut short—not just by her mental health struggles, but by a system that let her down.
Laura was only 22 years old when she died. She was kind-hearted, full of love, and had big dreams. She wanted to join the forces and one day become a mother, two aspirations that reflected her determination and deep care for others. Laura also identified as bisexual and embraced her true self with pride. Although she didn’t have a partner at the time of her passing, she had experienced the joy of love and companionship, something that brought her happiness in difficult times.
Laura’s Story: A Life of Struggles and Strength
Laura hadn’t just started building a life of promise—she had been trying for years. She had faced and overcome immense challenges in her young life. From surviving abuse in her earlier years to getting involved with the wrong crowd, Laura had lived through more than many people do in a lifetime. But she found the strength to turn her life around, distancing herself from those harmful influences and pushing forward with plans for the future.
Despite her resilience, Laura’s battle with bipolar disorder was a constant, hidden struggle. The extreme highs and devastating lows took a toll on her, often in ways that weren’t obvious to those around her. She had plans to go to university and a burning desire to serve others by joining the military. But no matter how hard she tried to move forward, her illness was always there, lurking beneath the surface.
The Mask of Pain: Hiding Her Struggles
Laura was incredibly skilled at masking her pain. To the outside world, she seemed confident, happy, and full of life. She smiled through the hard days and carried on as if everything was fine. But beneath that brave face, Laura was struggling deeply.
She had a long history of self-harm and had made numerous attempts to end her life before her death. These were cries for help, moments when her pain became unbearable. Yet, despite these clear signs, she didn’t receive the consistent care she needed. Laura sought help, attended appointments, and tried to access support, but the system wasn’t there for her as it should have been.
A System That Failed Her
Laura’s death wasn’t simply the result of her illness—it was a consequence of a mental health system that let her slip through the cracks. She reached out for help time and time again, but the services were stretched too thin. She faced long waiting times, overworked staff, and inconsistent care. Despite her history of suicide attempts and self-harm, she was never given the long-term, sustained support that could have saved her life.
Laura wasn’t just another patient. She was a young woman with dreams, a future, and a deep desire to live. But the system didn’t have the resources to give her the help she desperately needed.
The Heartbreaking Timing
The most painful part of Laura’s story is how close she came to getting the help that might have saved her. She was just three days away from being admitted to a facility that could have offered the care she had been seeking for so long. It was a place designed to provide the specialist treatment she needed for her bipolar disorder. But by then, Laura couldn’t hold on any longer. The pain had become too much for her to bear, and even though help was so close, it came too late.
I miss her so much it hurts. I was the first in our family to receive the news—the news we had all feared but hoped would never come. Laura was gone, and with her, the future she had fought so hard for.
Why Suicide Prevention Matters
Laura’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of World Suicide Prevention Day and why we must push for better mental health services. Her death was preventable. She asked for help, and she tried to get better, but the system wasn’t there to support her in the way it should have been. For every Laura, there are so many others out there who are struggling, trying to hold on, but unable to access the care that could save them.
Here’s how we can all make a difference
Advocate for better mental health services: We need more funding, resources, and faster access to care. Mental health should be treated with the same urgency as physical health
Reach out to loved ones: Don’t assume someone is okay just because they seem happy or put together. Laura hid her struggles well, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t hurting. Checking in, even with those who seem fine, could make a world of difference.
Reduce the stigma around mental health: It’s important to keep talking about mental health and suicide. The more we normalise these conversations, the easier it becomes for people like Laura to seek help without fear of judgment.
Honouring Laura’s Legacy
Laura was so much more than her illness. She was a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a young woman with a bright future ahead of her. She had dreams of helping others, serving her country, and becoming a mother. Though she’s no longer here, her life still has meaning. Laura was my little sister, and her passing left a hole in my heart that will never heal.
By sharing her story, I hope to honour her memory and raise awareness about the urgent need for change in mental health care. If Laura’s story can inspire even one person to reach out for help or push for improvements in the system, then perhaps her death can leave behind a legacy of hope.
We must do better—for Laura, and for the countless others still suffering in silence.
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