A touching tribute was paid to a beautiful Tavistock teenager who tragically ended her life as her mother and colleagues participated in a daring abseil challenge to raise funds for a suicide bereavement charity.
One of the abseilers was PCSO Debbie Hollinson, the mother of Darcy, who chose to end her life in 2021 aged just 17.
Since Darcy's death, her family and friends have raised thousands of pounds in her memory, supporting crucial organisations that address young people's mental health issues, such as Young Mind and Pete's Dragons. At an inquest into Darcy's death in January 2022, PCSO Hollinson, who serves with the neighbourhood police team in Plymouth City Centre, expressed that the real pandemic was not Covid but mental health, stating "There is just not enough support for young people."
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PCSO Hollinson said: "Darcy was a very special girl - she was a beautiful, bubbly and a kind daughter and sister. Her death has had a far-reaching impact in the community, and it puts into perspective that suicide does not discriminate."
She continued: "It wasn't long after her death that I decided I wanted to do something that could help spread wider awareness of the devastating impact of suicide, not only to help others with grief, but to potentially prevent others having to experience it themselves," reports Plymouth Live.
"Back in December last year, I asked Chief Constable Colwell if he would join #TeamDarcy and brave the abseil with me and a team of my friends and family I was delighted that he agreed, and didn't hesitate.
"The abseil took place on the third anniversary of us losing Darcy. It was tough, but we're doing it for Darcy and for everyone who faces the same heartbreak, losing someone they love to suicide."
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The squad tackled the challenge on Sunday, April 14 at the Meldon Viaduct in Okehampton, with all proceeds going to Pete's Dragon. Pete's Dragons provides specialist support and advice for those affected by suicide in Devon and North Somerset.
Shatter the Silence
The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk - to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.
Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.
We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.
Do you have a relevant story to share? Email emma.slee@reachplc.com.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day
NHS Offers advice on how to access mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)
CALM offer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life's problems
HUB OF HOPE is a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services
ANDY'S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally
KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)
PETE'S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives
THE MOORINGS is an emotional support service that provides telephone and face-to-face support via a drop-in service at its bases in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. It is a non-clinical service but provides emotional support, signposting to other services and other general support that is tailored to the people who access it.
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