Key workers have "felt the weight of the world put on their shoulders" and some were feeling suicidal during lockdown, a charity has said.
The Martin Gallier Project, which works to end the stigma around suicide and support people at their lowest, has revealed the desperate impact lockdown has had in our region.
During the pandemic the charity said the number of people approaching the charity with suicidal ideations nearly "doubled" from last year, with professionals, new mums and people suffering domestic abuse looking for help.
Their invaluable work is just one organisation that has tried to help people in lockdown, a s communities across Merseyside worked tirelessly to help people's mental health.
Jessica Gallier, CEO of the charity, said: "We're seeing a lot of people who are really suffering at home, and they think the only way out is to end their own life."
In March, as lockdown restrictions were enforced, millions of people across the county were told to work from home, only leave the house for exercise and not to see other households.
While the physical effects of coronavirus caused immeasurable pain, many people struggled mentally with these new, never before seen restrictions.
Jessica said: "The kind of people we're seeing come through are different to a pre-Covid world. We're seeing a lot more professionals and we're seeing a lot of professionals who've had the weight of the world put on their shoulders with this whole Covid situation.
"We've seen a lot of key workers struggling with the pressure they've been put under to keep this country ticking. We're also seeing a lot more women than we normally see, especially young mums. Young mums are really struggling and we're seeing a lot of them.
"We're seeing a lots of males and females who are considering suicide because of domestic abuse. We've had to take on a specialist for that because we're just seeing so much of it. "
Jessica, 30, from Port Sunlight, said the number of people accessing the service who had been struggling with suicidal ideation has nearly doubled in two years.
The Wirral-based charity was set up in Jessica's late dad's name and works to help people who are feeling suicidal.
Martin Gallier, a lifelong Liverpool FC fan just 55 went he died in February 2017 - and his tragic death prompted daughter Jessica to establish a charity in his memory.
So far the charity has helped hundreds of people and saved countless lives from people accessing vital services during a time of crisis, but this year the number of people needing help "massively increased".
She said: "A lot of the people we're seeing are people who've never, ever struggled before. This is the first time they've found themselves in the situation where they're considering suicide.
"This has been enough to get them to the brink of suicide and seriously considering it."
As well as the emotional strain of lockdown, Jessica said the charity is also encountering people who have felt the financial brunt of the pandemic.
Many workers have sadly lost their jobs because of the crisis, had a pay cut or have simply been unable to work because of social distancing.
Jessica added: "I think the financial pressure has really affected people negatively."
The Martin Gallier Project was awarded £49,053 by The National Lottery in June 2020 to cover a six-month period, which gave the charity a needed boost during its busiest times.
Jessica said: "This took the service from five days a week to seven, and allowed us to recruit three essential Suicide Intervention Workers."
One of the initiatives launched by the Martin Gallier Project was also the creation of a "man cave", where men are able to meet, chat and get help in a friendly setting.
It has been a lifeline for many, and has recently received a much-needed cash injection in the form of a £31,449 boost from People’s Health Trust with money raised by the Health Lottery North West.
Jessica said those who want to get involved, visit or learn more about the charity can visit their site online, or get in touch via email or phone.
The phone number is: 0151 644 0294
And the email address is: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
