A man left devastated by the deaths of three friends to suicide says an overhaul of mental health services is needed in Scotland to prevent future tragedies.
Danny Thain, 27, lost three people close to him in the space of just nine years after they each took their own lives under the age of 25. At 18-years-old, the now dad-of-one carried his best friend's coffin to his funeral.
One year later, he lost a second friend under the same circumstances. The harrowing events left Danny, from Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, crippled as he struggled with unanswered questions around the deaths.
Recalling the loss of his pals, Danny told the Record how each death came without warning.
He said: "I had no idea about what my friends were going through, I just got the message one day that they weren’t here anymore. Everyone was blown away - nobody knew why. One day they were here, the next day they weren’t.
“It came without warning and it left us looking for answers we'll never get. You’re left constantly wondering what they were going through before they decided they didn’t want to be here anymore.”
But it wasn't until summertime this year, when Danny lost a third friend to suicide, that he decided something had to change. He transformed his grief into motivation to help others and founded The World Suicide Prevention Project (TWSPP) - an organisation to help vulnerable individuals and those bereaved by suicide.
The group's mission is trademark the first mental health rehabilitation centre in Scotland.
Danny added: "I got the dreaded phone call to say a third pal had taken his own life. Each time it happens, it cripples me.
"It was so heavy. But in that moment, something happened and a pin dropped.
"I realised that something needed to change - the current situation around mental health in Scotland is only getting worse."
TWSPP is fundraising £3million to establish a base for the centre, with Danny's eyes set on an estate currently for sale in Aberdeenshire. The funds would be used to secure the land, carry out renovations and to build a professional team on-site.
Danny said: "I want to do something that hasn’t been done before and give people who are suffering a safe place to be able to heal. Being put on a waiting list and speaking to people virtually isn't working - people need in-person interaction and that’s what we want to provide."
The dad is currently embarking on a month-long sleep out mission to raise awareness of suicide and funds for the centre. For the duration of November, he is sleeping rough on the streets of Aberdeen and relying on the kindness of strangers for food and drink.
He added: "I'm doing this to make the message loud and clear. I've got billboards with details of the cause and I'm hoping it will send a clear message."
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP, Karen Adam, said she would commit to working with Danny to see if he is eligible for grant funding from the Scottish Government.
The SNP representative said: “Danny Thain’s efforts to fundraise for a mental health rehabilitation centre in Aberdeenshire is so commendable. Suicide prevention is something very close to my own heart and I would like to help Danny in any way I can to achieve his goal of raising £3 million.
“I will be reaching out to Danny to first of all recognise his efforts in the Scottish Parliament, but I would also like to help Danny source grant funding if that’s possible too. There are actions points I may be able to help with and I really hope to engage with Danny on this really important issue to support his goal of preventing suicide and supporting people experiencing poor mental health.”
Donate to the online fundraiser here.
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