Mark H Durkan withi his beloved sister Gabrielle
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has talked of losing sister and best friend five years ago to suicide.
And on the anniversary of Gabrielle Durkan’s death, the former Environment Minister has urged those in the depths of despair who were contemplating ending their own life:
Five years after he lost his sister and best friend to suicide, the Assembly member has spoken of his personal loss, urging anyone feeling like taking their own life: “Speak, don’t suffer.”
Gabrielle – known affectionately as Gay – was just 28 when she died and was a proud nurse at Altnagelvin Hospital.
A popular person, Gay had many friends, and among those friends was her brother and well known politician, Mark..
He has used her anniversary to appeal on social media to anyone who is contemplating suicide to talk about it.
He posted: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since our amazing sister Gay left us.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her and think of the good times we had.
“But what makes me saddest is when I think of the things she has missed and is missing – people she loved doing well, growing up, settling down (in moderation), getting on with their lives – and how happy that would have made her. Suicide sucks. Speak, don’t suffer.”
Anyone affected by this story can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or LifeLine on 0808 808 8000.
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