A father who committed suicide after deciding what he would wear the following day has left behind two children who want to break the sigma around mental health.
Stephen Kent was found dead in his house by his daughter Amy, just hours after making his lunch for the next day.
The 50-year-old was described by his family as “the life of every room.”
Before he died, Stephen, who was an electrician had decided he wanted to leave his job and his share of the business, and he had arranged to meet his business partner that day.
He leaves behind his wife Carol, 53, two children Amy, 24, and Andrew, 21, his dad Barry, sister Kathy and cousin David.
Amy said her dad’s death was completely unexpected and she is now aiming to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health.
Amy, who now lives in Prescot, told the Liverpool Echo : “There were no signs at all other than that he wanted to change his job but he was doing that, all the plans were in place.
“Everything was ready for the next day; his clothes were laid out, his lunch was made for work the next day.
“It’s so sad that that’s what he thought was the only answer and it just really wasn’t at all.
“He obviously felt like there was nobody he could talk to about it and that was his easiest option.”
Amy said: “I don’t think there are any words that you can say that will make anyone understand how it feels.
“I think you go through every emotion possible and guilt as well.
“Why wasn’t I there for him? Why did he think that was the only way? And almost like how could he do that to me knowing that I would be the one to find him?
“I don’t want anyone to suffer the way I have and the way my family have and if I can do anything to stop that then I want to.
“It’s horrible to have to go through this and no one should have to.”
On October 24, Amy will be running the Rock n Roll Marathon in Liverpool with her friend John, to raise money for The Martin Gallier Project.
The Martin Gallier Project is a Wirral based charity that aims to prevent suicides, break down stigma and support families from across the North West.
To visit Amy and John’s fundraising page click here.
Amy hopes sharing her story will encourage others to check in with the people around them and talk openly about how they are feeling.
Paying tribute to her dad, Amy said: “He was the life of every room.
“He would cheer everyone up, he was just the life and soul of everywhere he went.
“I went to him for countless things and I always felt so close to my dad, we were just similar.
“I feel like by doing [the marathon] I’m keeping him alive, almost like his spirit is living on through me in a way.
“I don’t want anyone to ever forget about him so I feel like by doing this it’s keeping his name alive as well.”
