Sheffield man who jumped from bridge wants anyone struggling to read his brave story
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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Hide AdHe had been become homeless and was sleeping in his car following the loss of his job and started having financial problems.
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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Hide AdThe former warehouse worker is now calling for people suffering with depression to reach out to their loved ones about how they are feeling.
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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Hide Ad"Just think about what you're doing, think of the future, think about everyone you're leaving behind.”
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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Hide Ad"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 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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Hide Ad"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.”