Widow advocates for mental health discussions during Christmas

A widow, whose husband died by suicide, is urging others to prioritize their mental well-being during what she identifies as potentially one of the “loneliest times of year”. Sammiie Winter, from Stogursey in Somerset, was nearing her ninth anniversary with her husband Shaun when he passed away in March 2019. The mother of three had to inform her young children that “daddy was never coming home,” and confronted a stark new reality with a missing family member. “For me, Christmas is about celebrating family, but we were so painfully aware that someone was missing,” she stated. According to Ms Winter, Christmas had consistently been a “strained time” in their household. “Even before Shaun died he had really struggled with his mental health, and I think the winter months made it worse,” she explained. “When he died, that first Christmas without a loved one was really challenging. “People want you to carry on and do normal things, but sometimes it’s just not a festive time of year.” Ms Winter began utilizing the Mind helpline to process her emotions, which quickly became an essential outlet for her grief. “It was a place for me to talk to someone who knew nothing of my circumstances,” she recalled. “I could be brutally honest about how I was feeling without worrying about upsetting a family member. “Family and friends always try and fix problems, but this wasn’t something that could be fixed.” A year later, she started volunteering with the Somerset branch of the charity, providing support to others who had experienced bereavement by suicide. Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind, commented: “We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for many different reasons. “It can shine a light on the problems we’re facing and the people who aren’t there – who should be.” He added that “Some might also be finding it difficult to care for their well-being, navigating difficult relationships, or feeling isolated and without anyone to confide in. “It’s important that they know if they are feeling this way, they’re not alone. We’re here for everyone.” Buckley encouraged, “Help us spark vital conversations and give someone the strength to seek help while there’s still time.” Individuals affected by these issues are encouraged to contact Mind via their free helpline at 0300 102 1234, or by visiting their website. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Story ideas can be sent via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.