The Edge

by Lucy Goacher

I used to think – not that I ever thought about it much – that if someone was suicidal, you’d know. Surely they would look sad, and cry, and act strangely? They would openly hate life. They would have a big, obvious sign around their neck, emblazoned in neon lights: Depressed and going to end it all! The reality is different.

Suicidal people smile. They go to work, do their shopping, wave to the neighbours. They hide their feelings from the people they care about. Statistically, I’ve learnt that most of the 6,500 yearly suicides in the UK are men, mid- to late-forties, or teens and young adults – but on this platform, tonight, the person thinking of suicide could be anyone.

One moment a person can be singing Christmas songs, dancing in the kitchen, sparkling with warmth and light and love and a million hopes for the future – and the next they can have taken their own life.