'Please don't suffer in silence' urges Offaly rugby coach who contemplated suicide
A Tullamore man who is an Irish rugby coach has shared a searingly honest social media post about his mental health issues which brought him to the brink of taking his own life.
Hundreds of messages of support have been posted for Bernard Westman, a father of two since he shared his story.
“Three months ago, I tried to take my own life. I was driving around Galway with a rope in the boot, looking for a tree. From the outside, it might have looked like I had everything, but inside I was battling demons. My mental health had reached rock bottom,” he said in the social media post.
He said he kissed his son and daughter goodbye but admitted that “even the thought of my beautiful children couldn't break through the numbness and pain I was feeling. That's how dark things had become”.
He said the support from his family and friends helped him get through the dark episode.
“I want to thank my amazing brothers and sisters, my mam and dad, and all my friends who stood by me when I needed them most. Your love and support helped carry me through,” he said.
“I'm now out of treatment, and it has given me a completely different perspective on life. I'm learning how to keep those demons at bay, and for the first time in a long time, I feel at peace. Life feels beautiful again, and I'm truly humbled by the kindness and support you've all shown me,” he said on social media.
The rugby coach stressed the importance of getting help when you are struggling.
“Life is precious. Please don't suffer in silence. If you're struggling, reach out to someone. And if you think it would help to talk to someone who's been there, my door is always open. There is hope, and there is light, even when you can't see it.
“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
The deeply personal post has received hundreds of messages of support and has been shared over 100 times.
Comedian Rory O’Connor of Rory’s Stories shared the post commenting: “Bernard is one sound man. You never know what anyone is going through upstairs. There is always hope. Reach out and ask for that help”.
Councillor Sean O’Brien commented: “Bernard, you are a fabulous person. Great to see someone like yourself being prepared to speak publicly about mental health. You will save lives and bring comfort to so many. We all suffer from mental health issues at some time but we do not speak about it. You have and more will follow”.
Many hoped that he had found peace by sharing his story, while also helping others in a similar situation.
A 24-hour helpline if available from Pieta House offering crisis intervention support for anyone struggling with mental health issues.