Sheffield man who jumped from bridge wants anyone struggling to read his brave story

A 28-year-old Sheffield man who has tried to end his life twice, is speaking out to encourage people battling mental health problems to seek help.
The 28-year-old said he has now got his 'life back' and has rebuilt relationships with his family.The 28-year-old said he has now got his 'life back' and has rebuilt relationships with his family.
The 28-year-old said he has now got his 'life back' and has rebuilt relationships with his family.

Craig Speight, from Silkstone, Frecheville has opened up about his fight against depression after he attempted to take his own life twice in the hope it will urge other people suffering from the condition to reach out to those closest to them.

The 28-year-old former warehouse worker was suffering from suicidal thoughts when he jumped off a bridge four days after his birthday on January 21, 2020.

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He had been become homeless and was sleeping in his car following the loss of his job and started having financial problems.

Craig, pictured with his niece, now hopes to encourage more people with mental health problems to seek help.Craig, pictured with his niece, now hopes to encourage more people with mental health problems to seek help.
Craig, pictured with his niece, now hopes to encourage more people with mental health problems to seek help.

It was also around this time that Craig’s relationship had broken down and he felt distant from his once close family after his parent’s separation.

He said: "I was in the worst place I could ever possibly be and I used to just park outside work and if I needed the toilet I'd go into work during the middle of the night.”

Almost six months later since the fall he can now walk again and is able to drive despite initially breaking his lower spine, both ankles, wrist and shattering his pelvis.

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The former warehouse worker is now calling for people suffering with depression to reach out to their loved ones about how they are feeling.

Almost six months on, Craig can walk and drive again.Almost six months on, Craig can walk and drive again.
Almost six months on, Craig can walk and drive again.

Craig added: "I didn't think I would walk again, but I am in such a better, happier place now, I'm close to my family again, I'm not living in my car.

"Even if you don't see any light, there is always going to be some.

"I thought the same and I didn't believe it until I did what I did but I just don't want anybody to be daft.

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"Just think about what you're doing, think of the future, think about everyone you're leaving behind.”

Craig now has a better relationship with his family.Craig now has a better relationship with his family.
Craig now has a better relationship with his family.

Craig began seeking help for his mental health problems and taking medication to help his depression after he took an overdose in 2019.

But due to a multitude of family, financial, work and relationship problems, the 28-year-old felt everything was starting to ‘get on top’ of him again and decided to end his life.

"The funny thing is depression is hereditary, it runs through families and I never knew that till the doctor told me”, Craig commented.

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"I was getting help, I saw the doctor, I was on medication and I was getting better but then everything started getting on top of me and getting worse.”

The former warehouse worker hopes opening up about his experience can help others.The former warehouse worker hopes opening up about his experience can help others.
The former warehouse worker hopes opening up about his experience can help others.

The 28-year-old who credits the NHS with saving his life, said he is now back to his ‘old self’ and wants other people battling depression to learn from his experience.

Craig continued: "Some days I will feel down but that's just human nature, everyone is going to have those down days.

"Every single day when I first came out of hospital, I would start crying to myself thinking ‘what have I done?’

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"I was stupid, I never really thought about what I did but now over time, I'm back to my old self again.

"I just don't want anybody to do what I did.”

If you need someone to talk to, call Samaritans on their free hotline 116 123.

The 28-year-old shared he finally feels like he has his life back.The 28-year-old shared he finally feels like he has his life back.
The 28-year-old shared he finally feels like he has his life back.

For people experiencing mental health problems, Saneline is available on 07984 967 708.

If you are under 35 and having suicidal thoughts you can call Papyrus on 0800 068 4141.

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