Parents of woman who died by suicide share mental illness diary to help others feel ‘less alone’
Tia Tuck, who died aged 23, had been living with a number of complex mental health issues
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Your support makes all the difference.The parents of a young woman who took her own life after a series of mental health problems have shared extracts from a diary they kept in the months prior to her death.
Tia Tuck, 23, was found dead at her home in Mepal, Cambridgeshire, in 2018. She had emotionally unstable personality disorder – also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
BPD is a condition that affects how a person acts, thinks and feels towards others. The causes of the illness are unclear, says the NHS.
Sue and Steve Tuck told the BBC had taken the decision to release details from their diary in an attempt to make others living with mental health problems feel “less alone”.
Ms Tucker said: “You feel so isolated. People haven’t heard of it but the reality is it’s one of the most serious mental health illnesses I’ve come across.”
In the weeks prior to Tia’s death, Mr and Mrs Tuck said they could “no longer cope” and had reached crisis point.
Extracts include: “Monday 31 July – Dad sent pictures of [Tia’s two] dogs after they had eaten Sunday lunch and saying we would visit Tuesday evening but didn’t get a response.
“She rang later in the day to say that she was being assessed for a hostel on Thursday and could she come home while she waits – we didn’t know at that time that she had overdosed last Thursday and was on one-to-one. We refused the request to stay.”
“Tuesday 1 August – We walked the dogs with Tia for just under an hour visiting Tesco to buy a few bits during the walk. Tia’s mood was average.
“In the evening she told us that she had overdosed on the previous Thursday evening, self-harmed and went to Addenbrooke’s. Tia returned back to the ward in time to see EastEnders.”
Mr Tuck said he was shocked when he first learnt about Tia’s mental health issues when her school called to say she had been having suicidal thoughts.
They also explained how Tia suffered from horrific mood swings but was loved by everyone who understood what the 25-year-old was going through.
A growing number of young people in the UK are battling mental health issues and eating disorders.
According to official figures, the number of referrals to CAMHS (Children And Adolescent Mental Health Services) services in England increased by 26 per cent in the five years between 2012/13 and 2017/18.
Many young people waiting more than 18 weeks to receive treatment for issues such as anxiety and depression.
Meanwhile, NHS data shows that 19,000 people were admitted to hospital for treatment for an eating disorder in 2018/19.
You can contact mental health charity Mind by calling the infoline on 0300 123 3393. The phone line is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except on bank holidays).
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