An inspirational young woman has battled back from multiple suicide bids and is training to become a mental health nurse.
Heather MacNeil, 20, first tried to take her own life when she was 15.
By chance, someone found her on a back road and called the emergency services.
For the next two years, Heather struggled with conflicts in her home life and when she was 17, two caring strangers came to the rescue on a bridge near Glasgow city centre.
Although she admits she was angry at the pair for stopping her, she said: “Now, I can’t thank them enough. I don’t know who they were but their kindness changed everything.”
Heather added: “I have always struggled with mental health. When I was really young, I had anxiety. I had a few difficulties in my home life which weren’t dealt with. It wasn’t the best start for me.”
Looking back on her first suicide attempt, she said: “The thoughts had been there for a long time but that day I’d just had enough and didn’t think there was any other way I could get over some stuff.
“I’d been self-harming for a long time. It helped but after doing it so long it doesn’t give you any sense of relief any more. Suicide then felt like the only option.”
Further suicide attempts followed and Heather can’t even remember how many.
She added: “The last time was in November 2016. Two strangers held me until the police came. They probably thought I was the worst person ever because I was telling them to get off me but now I can’t thank them enough.
“I’m so happy they were there. It’s quite scary to think what would have happened if they hadn’t been there.”
She was hospitalised until June 2017 when she was finally well enough to get a place of her own to live.
A psychiatrist spent time with Heather, showing her how she could have a different life and encouraging her to apply for college. She began a health and social care course, while living in supported hostel accommodation.
After two years at college, she successfully applied to do mental health nursing at Glasgow Caledonian University and began the course a few months ago.
She has now moved into her own flat, which she shares with her partner, Charmaine, who she met at the hostel, and their three dogs.
Next summer, she will travel to Laos in Africa to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary. She will also help build classrooms and teach English to local children.
She said: “I watched other people going on trips and holidays with their family and friends and thought I could never do that. But now I am.
“Just because you have a mental illness doesn’t mean you can’t do things other people can.
“Mental illness is not who you are, it is just a part of you.”
Now, Heather is organising a Christmas gift of distraction/self-care packs for the current 24 residents in Skye House at Glasgow’s Stobhill Hospital. Heather used to stay at the facility.
Heather can’t afford to fund all the items she is asking for donations of things such as face masks, bubble bath, eye masks, pillow sleep spray, colouring books, pens and pencils, books with inspirational quotes, distractions cubes, stress balls, fidget toys, earphones, vouchers for activities such as the cinema, mini golf or spa treatments
as well as boxes to put everything in.
● You can reach Heather by email at heathermacc@hotmail.co.uk or via her Instagram at instagram.com/heather.macneil
You can seek help by contacting Samaritans 24/7 free on 116 123 or by visiting Samaritans.org
