Last summer, David Lenaghan was in despair when he jumped off Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland, but he miraculously survived.
The desperate suicide attempt was the culmination of years of mental health issues and the breakdown of a relationship for the 29-year-old chef. He sadly felt he had no other option but to end his life.
It was through pure luck he survived the jump into the River Wear below and was in agonising pain after breaking both of his ankles and two ribs after hitting the water. He then desperately swam to the surface before he was rescued and rushed to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.
After surviving the attempt, David, who grew up in the care system, realised the impact his actions had on his devastated friends and family who had gathered around his bedside and initially expected the worst. Now, David, from Ryhope, is hoping to prevent others from attempting what he did and assure them there is help available.
Speaking of that day in August, David said: "When I jumped I felt like I was falling forever, and when I hit the water I went under and hit the sludge at the bottom. That was the scariest thing I felt, having to try and come back to the surface. The swim back to the top felt longer than the fall. I could hear sirens and people shouting while I was trying to keep my head above the water and trying to swim. I was in so much pain and then I was rescued.
"I'd gone there, and did it, I didn't think and I had tried to take my life several times previously. I fell around 130ft and fractured two ribs, had major bruising on my lungs, and broke both my ankles, I couldn’t walk properly for weeks and I’m still not 100% just yet. After hitting the water, everything was so dark. I just tried to follow the voices, before being pulled from the water with ladders and rushed to the RVI .
"My family had been made aware of the incident and were en route but were told to stop driving and turn around so were expecting the worst. Seeing and hearing all my family and loved ones in so much despair and shock was, for me, a big wake up call.
"It was never my intention to survive but I'm so fortunate I did because I couldn’t bring them so much hurt and pain ever again. I know that I’m loved and cared for and needed by so many people and for that I’m truly grateful."
Following the Covid pandemic and the loss of a close friend to suicide, David now wants to give hope to others and has set up a petition that would see suicide prevention measures put in place across the North East. He said: "Suicide is one of the biggest killers in the North East and it seems like there's nothing really getting done about it.
"There's people all over suffering in silence. I want to put some things in place for suicide prevention, I've got some support from local councils and universities who are going to create artwork to put across bridges and I've also started speaking in schools.
"There's a plan to have yellow SOS boxes put in every high risk area, when used, the phones put the user through to the relevant authority including mental health services. I'm really worried people who really need help are not going to get it in time and these boxes could really help and keep them comforted."
He continued: "My aim is to get more help points implemented across Tyne and Wear, with SOS and crisis line telephone boxes on our bridges, safety netting, CCTV and more signage of hope and support. I feel deeply that having SOS boxes on our bridges, netting and warning signs could save lives."
As well as striving to help others who may find themselves in the same position he was in, David is also working on his own mental health. He added: "I'm working with some great services at the moment, including Someone Cares, and they've been helping me all the way through. With my mental health, I feel a lot more stable and I'm looking forward to the future.
"I'm a chef by trade and I'm looking forward to getting back into work. I've worked all my life and at the moment I'm feeling really head-strong."
A spokesperson for Sunderland City Council said: "We continue to work closely with groups and organisations in Sunderland, and with partners regionally, to refresh and deliver our suicide prevention plan. We would urge anyone who is struggling and perhaps experiencing suicidal thoughts to reach out and talk to someone or contact Samaritans on 116 123."
David's petition can be found HERE
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