Chloe was a spirited, animal loving and beautiful soul. Chloe would also want to rescue every animal and put all animals above everything else. Chloe would always walk into a room and leave an impression. She was a funny girl who always wanted to leave a smile on people’s faces. She was out there and an inquisitive young girl.
I lost my only daughter Chloe on the 13th September 2017 just over a month after she turned 13. No signs, no note, no real answers to date.
How did we cope as a family?
We didn’t really. We became a mess. We withdrew from each other.
For myself, trying to raise awareness and find answers as to why, were my focus on getting through it and still to this day.
We had a lot of support around us from our family, friends work and the community.
What message am I trying to share with the wider community?
That it’s OK not be OK for a little while, but to ask for help when needed. There is support out there for everyone. Suicide is not the answer and while it ends your pain the ripple effect is huge. That if you see your friend not be OK, then help them and tell an adult. Some people knew Chloe wasn’t in a good place and that she was suicidal but never told us.
What drives us to stay positive?
My sons mainly and trying to spread awareness so others don’t go through what Chloe and now our family is going through. Also keeping Chloe’s memory alive. I made a promise to her when she passed that I will find answers and stop this from happening to others.
One breath, step and day at a time.
What does the ‘Walk For Awareness’ mean to me personally and how valuable will the day be?
To honour Chloe and her memory. To spread awareness about mental health and suicide. I now assist in running a group page for mums around the world that have lost their daughter/son to suicide. It’s heart breaking how many and how often it happens.
There are about 20 of us in our group on the day walking not only for Chloe, but for others we knew who lost their lives to suicide and who continue to live with mental health issues. It’s always been a taboo subject and we need to get the word out there that we do care, we love you, you’re important and special and we want you to continue to live on. There is support out there, people are just too scared to open up and get the help.
It will be one of the most emotional days for us all, but it is and will be worth it.
Sam, Chloe’s mum xo
