yasmin’s story

One morning, I woke up and felt I simply couldn’t cope any longer. I had a sudden, calm certainty that I needed to end it all. Once that idea took hold, I was like a woman in a trance. I don’t really remember getting into my car, but I put Beachy Head into the satnav and started the four-hour drive.

I didn’t say goodbye to my family. I didn’t discuss it with anyone. I just turned off my phone and drove.

When I was just minutes away, I was stopped by the police. My wife had called them. I was devastated to be stopped. I tried everything to convince them to let me go, but it was no use. Instead, they took me to the chaplaincy building.

In the building, I spent hours in a haze. I was in shock. But I remember being spoken to with such gentle kindness by the chaplains. I was wrapped in a blanket, given tea and biscuits, and they even gave me a fidget toy to help calm me. Slowly, I began to open up about the daily battle and my belief that life was no longer worth living. For the first time, I felt truly listened to, without judgment. It was a safe space where I could finally let my guard down and allow the reality to wash over me.

Later that day, the mental health team arrived. That day became the turning point in my life.

It took a long time to stop feeling upset that I hadn’t gone through with my plan. But slowly, with the right help, things began to improve. And they have continued to improve, day by day. One day, I realised I felt grateful that I hadn’t made it to that cliff edge - and those moments of gratitude started happening more often.

Now, I have a life worth living. I look at my family and feel so thankful I was stopped that day, and that I was given the chance to talk, to be cared for, and to find hope. I am deeply grateful to the chaplaincy and the team for being there in my darkest hour.

I hope they continue their valuable work for years to come.