Brave young man shares his mam’s suicide note to help others
Oisín Kenny has shared his mother’s suicide note in an effort to help others,
The 17-year-old from Cork lost his mother, uncle and three close friends to suicide.
He said, “suicide, especially in young people, is a massive problem lately”.
Oisín only recently received his mother’s letter after years of waiting and wondering. He admitted he tortured himself with questions.
“She wasn’t there for my First Communion, Conformation, birthdays, Christmas, first day of secondary school, to see me get my Junior Cert results, to see me get my first job, getting parts in musicals, go on holidays, and even have stupid fights with her.
“I grew up missing out, being bitter and jealous, all because of a moment of madness. My whole life I never had any answers.”
Oisín said the letter didn’t directly answer his questions but that he considers himself lucky to have a letter from her and that it’s a connection he will have with her forever.
He shared the following parts from the letter as he said the rest is too personal to him.
However, Oisin said he decided to share the note to show people what is going through a person's head when they are contemplating suicide, and to help loved ones left behind understand.
Oisín said his mother is not a distant memory and that he never wanted for anything as a child.
He wishes that his mother had spoken to someone but he said that’s something he can’t change. What he wants is for someone who is going through a dark time to find his story and maybe “this can be someone’s light”.
If he could speak to his mother now he would like to say: “You are loved, you are missed, and you are the biggest memory in my heart, and in so many others.
“So I'm going to pass on what you gave me, in the hope that it will console others, because not everyone is as lucky to have a letter left to them, a connection I'll have with you for ever! I love you always.”
If you have been affected by suicide or would like to talk to someone, you can call Pieta House at 1800 247 247.
You can read Oisín’s thoughts in full here.
