In Memory of James Varnham
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James was my twin brother and on the 22nd April 2019 - shortly after we both turned 30, he took his life. He had a long fought struggle with depression and anxiety and in his own words he felt unable to cope with the struggle any longer. In taking the brave decision to end his own life, he was able to end on his own terms - in a way that was painless and delivered the peace he needed.
Through his decision I have lost my best friend. The world has lost a guiding light whose kindness and selflessness knew no bounds - even given his own mental health. He was the bravest person I have ever known and it is through the strength he gave me that I am able to write this now.
He left a note, which made clear he felt loved and recognised the love and support which had motivated him to push on as he had done for so long. The challenge James faced was that through years of struggle the mechanisms needed to break out of the cycle he was in wore down - and it seemed the support he had just wasn't enough. His challenge began when he was young - and had he been provided the specialist support he needed then, things may now be different.
Given the courage he showed - through his life and at the end, I intend to do something in his memory to help others who are struggling with their mental heath. A growing awareness of mental health is making a difference in attitudes, but support services that are available - particularly for young people, are underfunded and ultimately are failing those who are most vulnerable.
In James' memory and with your support, I aim to provide youth mental health first aid training for those who work with vulnerable young people - particularly where there is no other source of funding for this training. It costs £360 to train a person in mental health first aid. If there are sufficient funds I will also set up something - such as a trust, in James' name and in the spirit of his unyeilding willingness to help others that will aim to make an impact on the campaign for awareness, but also in a more targeted way to individuals who need help, however that might be.
With your help we can continue James' legacy and together we can make a difference to help those who are most vulnerable in society, at the point when the help will deliver the greatest impact. Please donate what you can and share this page widely using the hashtags #mentalhealth and #mentalheathawareness or via my posts on Twitter, Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .
If you knew James and would like to leave a message to the family of your memories of him, you can do this at https://jamesvarnh.am.
Thank you,
Matthew
Through his decision I have lost my best friend. The world has lost a guiding light whose kindness and selflessness knew no bounds - even given his own mental health. He was the bravest person I have ever known and it is through the strength he gave me that I am able to write this now.
He left a note, which made clear he felt loved and recognised the love and support which had motivated him to push on as he had done for so long. The challenge James faced was that through years of struggle the mechanisms needed to break out of the cycle he was in wore down - and it seemed the support he had just wasn't enough. His challenge began when he was young - and had he been provided the specialist support he needed then, things may now be different.
Given the courage he showed - through his life and at the end, I intend to do something in his memory to help others who are struggling with their mental heath. A growing awareness of mental health is making a difference in attitudes, but support services that are available - particularly for young people, are underfunded and ultimately are failing those who are most vulnerable.
In James' memory and with your support, I aim to provide youth mental health first aid training for those who work with vulnerable young people - particularly where there is no other source of funding for this training. It costs £360 to train a person in mental health first aid. If there are sufficient funds I will also set up something - such as a trust, in James' name and in the spirit of his unyeilding willingness to help others that will aim to make an impact on the campaign for awareness, but also in a more targeted way to individuals who need help, however that might be.
With your help we can continue James' legacy and together we can make a difference to help those who are most vulnerable in society, at the point when the help will deliver the greatest impact. Please donate what you can and share this page widely using the hashtags #mentalhealth and #mentalheathawareness or via my posts on Twitter, Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .
If you knew James and would like to leave a message to the family of your memories of him, you can do this at https://jamesvarnh.am.
Thank you,
Matthew
Organizer
Matthew Varnham
Organizer
England