Humans Of Dublin Share Heartwarming Story Of Young Lad Who Saved A Man On The Brink Of Suicide | HuffPost Life

How This Young Man Saved A Life With Just Three Words

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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A young man from Dublin has touched the hearts of many, after the story of how he saved a man's life went viral.

Jamie Harrington's heartwarming story was posted on the Humans of Dublin Facebook page by photographer Peter Varga, who set up the page after being inspired by Humans of New York.

The Facebook post, which has had nearly 25,000 likes, details how Harrington spotted a man on the brink of suicide and went to speak to him.

By asking three words, "Are you okay?", Harrington saved the man's life - and now he's going to be honoured in the most wonderful way.

"I was just on my way to the American sweet shop to buy some Gatorade, when I saw this guy in his 30s sitting on the ledge of the bridge," explains Harrington.

"I just thought, 'wow...' I stopped and asked him if he was okay, but I knew from the look in his eyes he wasn't, and he didn't say anything either, but I saw tears coming from his eyes."

Harrington pleaded with the man to come and sit on the steps with him, which - after some persuasion - he did.

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"We sat on the sidewalk on the south side of the Liffey and talked for about 45 minutes, about what was happening to him, why was he feeling that way," says Harrington.

"I couldn't leave him there alone, but I had to go, so I was going to ring an ambulance. I told him they could help him feel better. But he was like 'please, please don't call them, I'm fine, I just want to walk around for a while, I'm gonna be okay!'

"I told him to please let me ring an ambulance, that I wouldn't sleep knowing he was just walking around alone."

Jamie rang the ambulance and the man was taken to St. James Hospital.

Before he went, the young lad asked for the man's number so he could left him know he was safe.

"About three months ago, he texted me that his wife is pregnant, they're having a boy, and they're naming him after me," said Jamie. "Can you believe that? They're going to name their child after me.

"He said in that moment that I approached him, he was just about to jump, and those few words saved his life.

"That they're still ringing in his head every day. 'Are you okay?'" Incredible.

[H/T Her.ie]

9 Physical Symptoms Of Depression

Digestive Problems (01 of09)

Stomach problems are common in people with depression or anxiety, especially in children and adolescents. “Lots of kids have tummy problems and when you look into them, you find they’re often related to school anxiety or their peer relationships,” Haight says. Adults with depression also may have digestive issues, such as queasiness, nausea, and diarrhea. Some digestive disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, or ulcers, can be worsened by stress and depression. (credit:Shutterstock)

Headaches (02 of09)

Headaches can have many causes, and sometimes they can be signs of depression. Headaches that are related to depression are usually dull and generalized. Also, people with depression often report their headaches are worse in the morning and in the evening. They are likely tension headaches, which occur when the muscles in your neck and scalp become tense or contract. “When people are depressed, they may be tensing this muscle group — not realizing it and creating a lot of head pain,” Haight says. (credit:Shutterstock)

Problems Sleeping(03 of09)

Trouble sleeping is one clue to diagnosing depression. People with depression can have difficulty falling asleep or they may wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. “Everyone has stress and can’t sleep now and then,” Haight says. “But if your problems sleeping go on for more than a few weeks, you need to start thinking about whether it’s an emotional difficulty that needs to be addressed.” About a third of people with depression may sleep much more than normal. (credit:Shutterstock)

Back Aches (04 of09)

Back or muscle aches can be another physical sign of depression. “There’s a relationship between how well people take care of themselves and depression,” Haight says. “People with depression tend to exercise less and are less likely to focus on healthy eating. When you don’t treat your body in the most healthful ways, you may have more physical pain, possibly in your back and muscles or joints.” Also, if you’re already living with any kind of chronic pain, depression can make it worse. (credit:Shutterstock)

Exhaustion And Fatigue(05 of09)

Exhaustion and fatigue or lack of energy are classic hallmarks of depression, Haight says. Depression and fatigue tend to feed off each other, so much so that in many people with depression, it’s hard to say what came first, their depression or their fatigue. When people treat their anxieties and depression, “it’s amazing how much more alive they feel and how much more energy they have,” Haight says. (credit:Shutterstock)

Changes In Appetite(06 of09)

Are you eating too much and gaining weight? Or have you lost interest in food and are losing weight? Any change in appetite can be a sign of depression. “People often use food to deal with emotional stress and feelings of sadness,” Haight says. If your change in appetite lasts for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor to find out if it’s related to depression or another medical problem — or both. (credit:Shutterstock)

Change In Weight (07 of09)

Fluctuations in weight can be related to changes in your eating habits and activity level. “Sometimes people with depression sleep a lot — as much as 12 hours a day — and so they’re not as active,” Haight says. “Because they’re not as active, they may gain weight.” On the other hand, if your appetite has changed and you aren’t eating enough, you may experience weight loss. If you have unexplained weight loss or gain, talk to your doctor as it could be a sign of depression or another health condition. (credit:Shutterstock)

Chest Pain(08 of09)

If you experience chest pain, don’t delay seeking medical treatment. Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack or other serious heart condition. However, chest pain also can be related to your emotional health. “Chest pain is often associated with panic attacks, which is an anxiety issue,” Haight says. “When people are having a panic attack, they can have heart palpitations and have difficulty breathing, just like they were having a heart attack.” If your doctor concludes that your chest pain is not indicative of a heart attack or other heart condition, ask whether it could be a sign of depression or anxiety. (credit:Shutterstock)

Diagnosing Depression(09 of09)

Doctors tend to look for basic depression symptoms — sadness, crying, lack of energy or interest — when diagnosing depression. But if you have any of the physical symptoms described here that last for more than a few weeks and that can’t be explained by another health condition, talk to your doctor about whether your symptoms could have an emotional root. You should be able to find relief and treat your depression with a combination of talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication. (credit:Shutterstock)

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