Dad's tweet about surviving depression encourages other parents to share
Father of one, Craig Stone, recently took to Twitter with an incredibly powerful message about depression.
The writer at The Guardian and author of three books, took a picture at same spot where he once contemplated suicide eight years ago. However, the picture, featuring his one-year-old son, came with an important message.
See that bench. 8yrs ago I sat on it thinking about throwing myself off Blackfriars Bridge. Today, I took this pic of my son. Tomorrow might be the same. But it might also be brighter. It might even bring unimaginable brilliance. Hang in there. Love is always coming. #depression pic.twitter.com/91mYk9hvEo
— Craig Stone (@craigstone_) 19 November 2017
His adorable boy in a minion hat taking centre stage, he wrote about the grey rainy picture of a bench:
"See that bench. Eight years ago I sat on it thinking about throwing myself off Blackfriars Bridge. Today, I took this pic of my son. Tomorrow might be the same. But it might also be brighter. It might even bring unimaginable brilliance. Hang in there. Love is always coming."
With one in ten Irish adults experiencing depression at some stage in their lives, Stone's message is a truly vital one.
Little man lost a glove. So we're going out with one glove, one sock. The excitement is palpable. pic.twitter.com/Kmf6GiugnX
— Craig Stone (@craigstone_) 26 November 2017
The heart-wrenchingly honest tweet has encouraged other parents to reach out and share their own stories of mental health struggles.
Good on you mate. I was suicidal many time over the years but somehow kept going. I now have 4 kids. Meditation and medication I found very helpful. Learned to try and love myself. Every day a bonus. None of us know what lies ahead. Peace. xx
— Justin Smith (@JustinMUFCDub) 22 November 2017
I’ve been suicidal on more occasions than I wish to remember and at 21 with 2 attempts behind me, my son has truly saved my life. He’s 16 months now and he makes me smile every day – no matter my mood previously. He will never know what he’s done for me ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3K3MUQAqU5
— Chloe Campion (@EdgarAllanClo) 25 November 2017
When I was pregnant I planned to end my life as soon as my baby was old enough to survive without me. I believed everyone who told me I wouldn't cope, I'd be a rubbish mum. Now the love of my life is nearly eight and tells me I'm the best mum in the world, the perfect team.
— Queen of Shoe Tattoos (@ShoeTattoos) 19 November 2017
Stone replied to most comments, encouraging everyone to "talk":
Talk to anyone – friends. strangers. Talk, talk, talk, talk. There's that saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' – well, we're still all children. And we never leave the village. x
— Craig Stone (@craigstone_) 20 November 2017
If you have been affected by anything in this article you can find more information on depression and support services here.