The Mental Health Crisis

Talking about emotional well-being is on the up. So why have deaths by suicide risen by nearly 11%?

- Matt Barbour And Frances Leate

‘I WALKED INTO THE WOODS TO END IT’

Andrea Newton, 52, is a suicide prevention tutor. She lives in St Helens, Merseyside, with her partner, Kevan. Dashing out the door of my four-bedroom, detached house, in my designer suit and heels, I jumped into my 4x4 car. After checking my hair and make-up in the rear-view mirror, I drove to my first client. For years, I’d run my own consultancy business, giving presentations to blue-chip companies about their HR strategy. On the outside, I had it all.

Successful business, husband, loving son, Jared, then 20, a fancy house… Yet as soon as the last person trailed out of the conference room at the end of that day in March 2016, I slumped in my chair and sobbed.

Daily battle

The truth was, my life was a facade – an endless battle to appear strong and happy while really I was drowning. Hiding behind my armour of make-up and businesswoman persona, terrified someone might see how hopeless, miserable and overwhelmed I felt.