Campaign Launched Following Suicide of Stockton Man Chris Irish

Stockton: Chris Irish was just 33 when he took his own life in 2021 after battling mental health issues for years. His family, heartbroken by the loss, decided to take action. They created a campaign called Chris’ Voice to raise awareness about mental health and highlight missed opportunities in suicide prevention.

The campaign is gaining traction across the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, and they’re looking to expand it to the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust soon. Chris’ sister, Rachel, shared how much Chris meant to their family. He was the youngest of four siblings and was loved deeply by his parents and sisters.

Despite the support from his family, Chris struggled with his mental health for a long time. Rachel explained that they want to keep Chris’ memory alive by sharing his story and advocating for better mental health care. They believe it’s crucial to listen to families and improve communication among healthcare professionals to ensure better care for patients.

The campaign aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open conversations about it. Rachel hopes that by sharing their experience, they can help others avoid the pain they went through. Viv Priestley, a service lead for urgent care, emphasized the importance of patient safety and the shared responsibility of healthcare professionals in preventing suicide.

The family’s dedication to this cause is truly inspiring, and they’re determined to make a difference in the lives of others facing similar struggles.