Sheffield woman who attempted suicide after knife-point robbery shares inspirational post

Stacey Hopkinson, 28, from Parson Cross, started experiencing mental health problems back in 2008 but tried to end her life by taking an overdose when she felt there was ‘no way out’ last year.

The Xpo Logistics worker, who was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and OCD checking disorder opened up about her mental health journey in a Facebook post, where she encouraged people who were struggling to reach out for help.

Stacey shared her story, from when she felt alone and was suffering from intrusive thoughts to self-harming and attempting suicide to now feeling the benefit of her anti-depressant medication and relief that she survived.

The message, which was on October 10 to mark Mental Health Awareness Day, has been liked nearly 300 times and received 219 comments of support and people thanking the 28-year-old for her honesty.

Stacey said she ‘hit a brick wall’ at the start of 2018, when she felt very low after she had been robbed at knife-point at her home.

The robbery triggered her OCD disorder, where she felt a constant compulsion to check doors and light switches to make sure she was safe.

"Checking things all the time really took a toll on your life", the 28-year-old added.

"It was putting me deeper into depression because I felt like I couldn't do anything even leave the house.

"I was in a really dark place.”

The 28-year-old also started self-harming eight months before she attempted suicide in 2019, on the day of her friend’s dad’s funeral.

"It was like a voice inside my head telling me there was nothing left and nobody could help me”, she added.

Stacey said the moment she woke up at the Northern General hospital after she overdosed, to see her mother and best friend crying at her bedside, was a ‘wake up call’.

“I was really scared to see my mum like that and realise that I'm not only hurting myself, but I'm hurting other people around me as well.

"When I had come round in the hospital they had arranged for me to see a mental health team, we were talking and they told me no matter how much I felt down, or how much I felt low just stick with it, keep attending my appointments and taking my medication.

"My life has just turned around from there.”

Stacey wanted to share her own mental health struggles because of the concerning videos she’s seen on video site, Tik Tok, where people have expressed how alone they feel.

"There is a way out, you don't have to go to the extent that I did to realise there are people out there who can help you.

"A lot of people feel like there's no point talking to strangers because they won't change how you feel but they do help, if you give them the time of day to help you then they can make a difference.”

Anyone struggling with mental health problems can call charity MIND on 0300 123 3393 or the Samaritans on 116 123.

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