James' story

James tells us about his suicidal crisis and how the team at James’ Place Liverpool helped him.

“I always considered myself to be a strong, happy person, I was doing well at work and living in Spain with my partner when my mum, who already had a rare form of dementia called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), received a cancer diagnosis. I flew over to be with her and care for her which was exceptionally hard as the UK was in lockdown at the time so I was doing everything mostly on my own. She passed away the day before Christmas Eve and I spent Christmas Day on my own.  The neighbours were very kind and brought me round a Christmas dinner, which I ate with a photo of my mum in front of me. After a short trip back home to see my partner I came back for the funeral and to sort out my mum’s affairs, but then the UK was plunged into another lockdown and I couldn’t return home to Spain or see my partner for seven months. It was an absolutely horrendous time.  I just felt utterly unprepared to deal with all the emotions I was feeling whilst missing my mum terribly. I remember one night after the funeral I woke up in the middle of the night with a feeling of just utter emptiness and despair and I realised I needed help. I went online and found James’ Place and emailed them straight away.”

“I started treatment at James’ Place shortly after and it saved my life. It was my escape, my hope, it helped me get through a really difficult time and I don’t know what would’ve happened to me without them. I wanted to write about my experience and that’s when the song Catharine Street came to me – I used to walk up Hope Street and onto Catharine Street heading to James’ Place for my treatment, and it holds such a special place in my heart.”

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