Julie Burchill's Facebook Post About Her Son's Suicide Saved The Life Of Singer Ruby Joy, Who Suffers From Depression

Julie Burchill's Facebook Post Saved Singer Ruby Joy From Suicide
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Julie Burchill has managed to saved the life of a New Zealand woman with her emotional Facebook posts following the death of her son, Jack Landesman, who recently took his own life.

New Zealand-based singer and songwriter Ruby Joy felt like her depression was taking over when she woke up on Sunday morning, and was having suicidal thoughts.

She stumbled across Burchill's heartfelt posts about her son, that urged others to "look after the people you love," and felt able to 'put the pills away.'

Joy wrote: "I woke up so tired and overwhelmed and suddenly felt as if the whole world hated me and that I couldn't face one more crazy day.

"But I had a Facebook friend who recently lost a young son to suicide and I went back and read all of her posts. Her raw and honest account of the pain of loss touched me and I realised that my brain had tricked me.

"I realised that as this mother grieved for her child so to would mine grieve for me, I thought of her son and the life he had and then suddenly didn't have and it made it real.

"I thought of my friends and people close to me that I would hate to hurt and put the pills away."

Joy had no idea that Burchill was a public figure in the UK, and said she's received hundreds of messages of support.

She's currently in hospital being treated for anorexia, but has reached out to thank people for their kindness, writing on Facebook: “Today I woke up with hundreds of comments and messages of love and support from strangers.

"It has shown me that life is precious, that lots of people are good, and that God is still doing miracles.”

Useful websites and helplines:

  • Samaritans, open 24 hours a day, on 08457 90 90 90
  • Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
  • href="http://www.youngminds.org.uk/" target="_hplink">Young Minds

    offers information to young people about mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • HopeLine runs a confidential advice helpline if you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide. Mon-Fri 10-5pmand 7pm-10pm. Weekends 2pm-5pm on 0800 068 41 41
  • HeadMeds - a straight-talking website on mental health medication
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