Stroke ordeal leaves one in 10 survivors feeling suicidal

But connecting with others plays crucial role on road to recovery

- Chris Riches

TALKING to other people can dramatically boost the health of stroke sufferers, research reveals.

Ten per cent of patients admit they felt suicidal after being hit with the condition which causes a blood clot in the brain and can affect speech and movement.

But survivors say interacting with other sufferers has kickstarted their mental health and helped them recover.

The Daily Express Let Stroke Patients Thrive crusade has campaigned for better aftercare and a game-changing thrombectomy quickly removing the clot so some patients can go home that day.

It is thought up to 10% of UK stroke patients - more than 9,000 - may be eligible for a thrombectomy every year. But figures show only 3.3% can access one.