A man who was battling with suicidal thoughts has said his ‘life has changed massively’after threatening to throw himself off Nottingham Trent Bridge last year.
Father-of-two, Darren Cox was dealing with suicidal thoughts after he lost his job as a chef in lockdown and then had a relationship breakdown. The 39-year-old, who lives in Ilkeston, has spoke out on how Nottinghamshire Police ‘saved his life’.
On May 5 2022, officers received a call that Darren was in distress and was threatening to throw himself off Trent Bridge.
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“When I stood on that bridge, I did not feel anything,” Darren said. “All I wanted to do was jump. I remember banging my head on the railings and a police officer who pulled me from the bridge and to safety.
“I remember sat in the van with an officer who calmed me down and said: ‘we will get you the help you need.’ They saved my life. I would not be here for my children if it was not for the police. They really cared for me.”
As a way to thank the officers Darren visited the Force HQ in Sherwood Lodge on April 4, with a box of chocolates and a card.
One of the officers who attended the incident was PC Jamie Severn who works for the Nottinghamshire Police’s Street Triage Team. The team, which was formed in 2014, deals with around 800 incidents each month, majority of these are people at their lowest point and are threatening suicide.
PC Severn said: “Darren was in a very distressed state, at a very low point and in crisis. He needed immediate help that day otherwise there was a fear he would have taken his life. We needed to ensure Darren got the best help available in hospital.
“It is lovely that Darren has come up to Force HQ and is doing so well. We don’t always get to see the positive outcomes or know what has happened after our involvement.
“It was a team effort to ensure Darren was brought to safety that day and got the right help he needed.
“In my 28 years of policing this is the most rewarding job because in circumstances like this you can see that your efforts have made a real difference to someone’s life.
“It is about helping people in their lowest moments, and it is great to see from our intervention that people get better.”
Now, the father of two has turned his life around and would like to set up a charity for men suffering with mental health. To remind himself how far he has come, Darren has even kept the clothes he wore that day - a red jacket and trainers.
“My life has changed massively,” he said.
“It is important for people to know there are a lot of organisations that can help if you are at crisis point, you don’t have to suffer alone. In my hour of need the police were there and I would not be here today without them.”
*The Samaritans run a free 24-hour phone line on 116 123 for people experiencing a range of problems, and also has a website with further details.
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