What We Don’t Talk About

A few days ago a friend of mine told me that one of her close friends had tragically taken her own life. It’s something I hear far too much.

A few years ago now my sister attempted to take her own life due to an ongoing threat to the safe place she had found for herself. It was possibly the worst day of my life. Someone I loved didn’t want to live anymore and there was nothing I could do to change that – nothing I could say.

I remember that I was driving to the vets with a poorly bird when she phoned to tell me what she had done. The rest of the day is pretty much a blur. Calling 999, spending time at the hospital, talking to people who didn’t really know how to help and coming away feeling scared and helpless.

One of my main goals for Every Feather moving forward is to provide a safe space for people who suffer from mental health issues. I want them to have somewhere they can go, somewhere they can keep busy or just chat – somewhere that can help them if they feel that everything is too much.

I know that not everyone can sadly be saved, but from fighting for help for my sister and recognition of her struggle I know that more can be done. When someone just needs a place to go, people around and no expectations I want to provide that place. If someone feels like that need to sit in a quite space, or do some work then I want to provide that place. It’s why we are so passionate about getting land and setting up a space, not just for our bird rescue, but for our people rescue too.

As some of your know I suffer with M.E., Fibromyalgia and declining sight but being able to come home and sit with my birds – cuddle a chicken, talk to Darla the owl or spend time with Velvet – that makes everything calmer for a little while. It’s my safe space and everyone should have one.

I’m doing lots of reading at the moment in preparation for hopefully starting my Psychology & Counselling degree later this year. If I ever accomplish my dream I want to be prepared for it x.