A woman who shared her mental health battle on social media in a bid to hep others has died aged just 26.
Beth Matthews had been blogging her mental health journey following a suicide attempt in April 2019.
She fell from a bridge on the A388, onto the A30 in Launceston, Cornwall and was taken to hospital by air ambulance having sustained multiple major injuries.
She shared raw accounts of her recovery and helped others who were experiences mental health issues.
The 26-year-old, who loved spending time outdoors, had amassed 26,300 followers on Twitter and built a following of her own by her brutally honest blog posts.
Beth gave people the courage to speak out and continuously signposted anyone struggling to support groups, Plymouth Live reports.
These included Samaritans, which can be reached 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 for free from any phone.
In a blog called Life Beyond the Ledge and on her twitter account, Beth opened up.
She bravely told her followers what led her to take her own life.
In one of the last messages she posted on her account, she said: "It’s ironic that the injuries I sustained from a suicide attempt (nerve damage, broken bones, paralysed bladder, paralysed bowel, paralysed foot, chronic pain etc) are the reason I’m now suicidal.”
In her very last tweet, which has now gone viral, Beth told how she was 'struggling so much' and apologised to her followers for 'being so negative'.
Hundreds of people have since shared their condolences on the thread.
Beth's pinned tweet praised the 'brave police officer who saved' her life in 2019.
She wrote: "Today, I got to thank and hug the brave police officer who saved my life.
"Despite witnessing me fall 50ft off a bridge, she ran down and held my hand until I was airlifted to hospital. This moment meant the world and reminded me just how grateful I am to be alive."
The Devon and Cornwall Police officer has offered her condolences to Beth's loving friends, family and followers and added she knows Beth has helped 'so many people'.
She said: "I often kept Beth close to my thoughts after the first time that we met. She was a kind and very honest person, speaking openly about her struggles which I know helped and supported so many people.
"She was a big supporter of all the emergency services and I know her passing will greatly affect many. My thoughts go out to her family and friends."
Mental Health UK issued a statement on Twitter after hearing the sad news. The charity social media account said that Beth's advocacy in mental health would be "forever remembered".
It said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family of Beth Matthews today. Beth's work and advocacy in mental health has touched and helped many people, and her commitment will be forever remembered."
Another Twitter user paid tribute to Beth. She said that she is sure that by Beth sharing her "brutally honest experience", she had saved "a lot of lives". Helen said: "So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of BethMatthewsz.
:She was an inspiration to many and and I am sure she saved a lot of lives with her brutally honest experience of mental illness. I, and many other hope she is finally at peace."
A third said: "Beth Matthews believed passionately in #SuicidePrevention and shared her story to help others. Sadly Beth has lost her life. May her fight to help save lives continue."
