Allan McManus & Isla Buchanan's Stories
04/08/2022
In 2005, St Mirren FC Academy Manager, Allan McManus, lost his brother to suicide. Isla Buchanan, a Scottish FA Ambassador and football referee, has experienced poor mental health and suicidal thoughts since she was 13. They discuss their stories, how suicide has impacted them and the positive influence of football.
Tony Bryson's Story
29/06/2022
Ayr United FC Senior Youth Phase Coach Tony Bryson speaks about how suicide and his own mental health challenges have moulded him as a person, and how he uses his lived experience and the power of football to try and help others.
Go to articleJohn's Story
09/06/2022
“It’s really important that we pull together as a country, as a community…to ensure that we stop the carnage of suicide”.
John’s son Cameron died by suicide 2.5 years ago. In this incredibly moving video, John describes how his, and his family’s life, has changed since that tragic day.
Gordon's Story
22/03/2022
“I can’t thank the people enough that believed in me”.
Gordon, a mental health advocate, shares his powerful story about the importance of help and hope and why early intervention is absolutely essential.
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Chris Ewing's Story
07/03/2022
Chris is, in his own words, a ‘failed footballer’. He is owner and chairman of Caledonian Braves FC and on the board of Scotland’s Lowland League. He is the latest FC United signing.
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Alan's Poem
18/02/2022
Mental health and suicide
the things we shouldn’t say
but deep inside my troubled mind
these thoughts occur each day.
Alan (pictured right playing for East Fife over 35’s) was inspired by FC United To Prevent Suicide to share his poem - Behind The Smile - which he wrote a while ago.
To read the rest of Alan’s poem please click on the ‘go to article’ link.
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Shannon's Story
12/01/2022
“Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better” - Unknown.
Shannon lost her sister, Carolyn to suicide. Today she has decided to share her story to mark her sister’s birthday and help others.
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Frank's Story
09/12/2021
“Encourage those in emotional torment to reach out and seek help”.
Those are the words of Frank who lost his son Alan to suicide six years ago. After Alan’s death, Frank was forced to confront his own options. The impact of his son’s death has motivated him to campaign to highlight the importance of making simple small talk with someone who appears to be in distress. He hopes those who read his journey are motivated to become involved in issues of suicide prevention and mental health.
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Alan Burrows' Story
07/12/2021
Motherwell FC CEO Alan Burrows talks about the club’s longstanding dedication to suicide prevention in their community, and how he’s personally had to deal with the issue at Fir Park.
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Neil's Story
24/11/2021
“I’m grateful for the chance to be able to talk on a subject I stayed silent on for long enough”.
Neil has been inspired by the FC United campaign to share his own struggles with suicidal thoughts. He remembers in the aftermath of his beloved football team beating their closest rivals that he had no enjoyment from the result. That’s how bad it was. He’s learned that as soon as others know you’re struggling they’ll give you the support you need so you stop.
Go to articleGabriel's Story
03/11/2021
What Lies Beneath The Surface is a moving and powerful 4-minute film by Gabriel.
Thomas' Story
09/09/2021
“We should live life to the fullest, appreciate what we have, love our family and friends and be there to support each other, it’s true, you just don’t know what’s around the corner".
Thomas joined the movement last year and has shared his mental health journey on his Talking About Me & Borderline Personality Disorder blog.
He recently reminded people on Twitter that although September is Suicide Prevention Month so is every other and together we can prevent suicide.
Go to articleColin & Callum Hendry's Story
07/09/2021
Scotland football legend Colin Hendry lost his wife and his son St. Johnstone FC player Callum Hendry lost his mum. Complications following surgery claimed Denise’s life all too soon. We talk to father and son about their journey since, and football’s role in their mental and physical health.
Paul McNeill & Aaron Connolly's Stories
26/08/2021
FC United has one goal – to prevent suicide. This brand new team is made up of people, including Paul and Aaron (pictured), who are talking openly about their experiences of suicide and how football has helped them.
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Clare's Story
13/05/2021
Clare joined the movement last September. She has been bereaved by suicide three times, including losing her nephew Gerry (pictured on the far left hand side with her children). She hopes by sharing her story that her experience can help others and encourage more people to talk.
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Kirsty's Story
11/05/2021
“Services are inconsistent. This has pushed me to advocate for a better future for those in anguish”.
In her own words, Kirsty (pictured with her husband David), talks about her mental health and suicidal thoughts.
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Seonaid's Story
27/04/2021
“Suicide is preventable if we all take the time to be part of the solution”.
Seonaid’s son Dylan died by suicide in October 2015, he was 18 years old.
More than five years later she still asks, how could this have happened? What might have made a difference? What should we be doing now to prevent this happening to others?
Go to articleIan & Megan's Story
25/03/2021
Ian and his daughter Megan had a chat about the importance of talking about suicide. As a result of that valuable conversation Megan created an animation.
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Sharon & Peter's Story
23/02/2021
Sharon’s husband Peter attempted suicide a few years ago. They are sharing their story as they have insight into the reasons why Peter felt he could no longer go on.
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Adriana's Story
13/01/2021
“I don’t expect anyone to have the answers or ‘fix’ me but a conversation where the listener guides me back to my sense of hope is the greatest help I can receive."
Article and story courtesy of Glasgow City HSCP.
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Nicola's Story
12/01/2021
“Talking about suicide will not make your loved one more determined. It will not put ideas in their head. It could save their life."
Nicola lost her husband Chris to suicide in 2017. In her own words she writes about the importance of talking about suicide openly.
Go to articleHibernian FC player Scott Allan's Story
07/01/2021
Hibernian FC player Scott Allan has seen first-hand how suicidal thoughts can affect people. He’s talking about suicide and mental health issues to encourage others to strike up conversations.
Hibernian FC player Christian Doidge's Story
07/01/2021
Hibernian FC player Christian Doidge is talking about suicide because he says it’s not a topic that gets brought up too often.
Imran's Story
04/01/2021
Imran has a happy life. But it took him a long time, and a suicide attempt, to get here. Imran was supported by SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) after his experiences.
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Steve's Story
17/12/2020
Steve’s son Gregory (pictured) died by suicide in January 2016. He was 21 years old. He was a final year student at university and took his own life during the Christmas holidays. Steve tells us in his own words about his experience of supporting someone with suicidal thoughts and why talking is important.
Go to articleJenn's Story
11/11/2020
Jenn tells how talking has helped her and how breaking the stigma can help others. She goes on to tell us what we can do to help those who need it the most, before telling us what she has learned from her lived experience of suicide.
Linda’s Story
06/11/2020
Hello everyone! I’m Linda and I’ve taken a bit of time today to tell you my story. Suicide affects so many of us, but hopefully opening up here can help some people that are currently feeling what I have felt.
Go to articleStephanie's Story
26/10/2020
Talking to people with lived experience of suicide is vital to how we learn, and ultimately prevent deaths in the future. We spoke to Stephanie about her story, and she told us how talking has helped her and how breaking the stigma can help others.