Graham's Story

40 year old office worker Graham became suicidal after his marriage ended. Read the full story below 👇

“It was in January 2026 that my marriage officially ended. Overnight I felt that I lost my identity as a husband and as a father. I had to move out of the family home and leave my children and my pets behind. It felt like nothing was in my control anymore. I spent 48 hours trying to make sense of everything, and very quickly, having never felt like this before, I had made a decision to end my life. I sent messages to my ex-wife, her parents and my colleagues to explain whilst driving north with a clear plan in place. I felt strangely calm and peaceful about the solution I had landed on, it almost felt like ending my life was the obvious and practical way forward. Luckily my colleagues alerted the police who intercepted my car at Carlisle and I was detained under the Mental Health Act and referred to the local crisis team, who in turn referred me to James’ Place. I had my first appointment very quickly, and whilst I was still fairly sure that it was inevitable I was going to take my life, I was willing to accept I might be wrong and thought I would give therapy a go, feeling I owed it to my kids to at least try.

Going to James’ Place really helped me. There was something about having all my thoughts, feelings and emotions reflected back to me from someone completely non-judgmental and impartial that really helped. There were things I said that I didn’t even realise I was thinking or feeling to be honest. Nothing I said there, even my darkest thoughts about suicide, panicked anyone, they were so calm and professional and that made me feel safe and reassured. My therapist helped me to see things from a different perspective, and there were at least three or four Eureka moments where I felt like I’d really unlocked something in my brain. Slowly over the seven weeks of therapy, I went from not seeing any future at all to seeing little glimmers of light of what could change. I could see clearly what was in my control, and what I could change or start to build.

I can’t overstate how big an impact going to James’ Place had on my life, it was without a doubt the biggest part of me recovering from suicidal crisis. Now I’m just trying to find little pockets of joy where I can, and if I hit a bad patch to just be kind to myself and try to work through it. I’m starting to enjoy life again.”

Thank you, Graham, for sharing your story.

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