The brother of a teenage Celtic fan who took her own life has issued a heartbreaking mental health plea. John Ford's sister Taylor Malcolm, 15, was found dead on Saturday, April 22.
Now her devastated sibling has confirmed that the Uddingston youngster's death is the second tragedy for his family after Taylor's elder sister, Rhiannon Ford, also died by suicide in 2019, at the age of 18.
The 27-year-old said he has been left "totally numb" following Taylor's passing as he begged young people who may be struggling with their mental well-being to tell their loved ones how they feel.
He told the Daily Record: "I can’t believe Taylor is gone. It doesn’t feel real and there is nothing I can do about it This is the second time I’ve lost a sister to suicide. I just wish people would talk more because there is help out there.
"Please, please if you’re getting these thoughts, reach out to someone. I know that it might seem like you only have one option, but think of the devastation you are leaving behind for the ones who love you."
John described Taylor as the "best auntie" to his two children as he told how his family have been rocked by her loss. He added: "Taylor was the kindest wee soul I’ve ever knew. She would do anything for anyone.
"I don’t know how my mum is going to cope, but I know I need to remain strong for her and for my kids. I’ll make sure my son Oliver and daughter Isla never forget who Taylor was."
Tributes to the schoolgirl flooded social media, with devastated loved ones describing her as a "beautiful young girl" and taking comfort in the fact she is "with her sister again".
Taylor's death comes after a Daily Record investigation revealed on Monday that young people are being failed by Scotland’s mental health system. Figures showed that more than 160,000 young Scots have been referred to the NHS’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) since 2018.
And just days after First Minister Humza Yousaf was quizzed over almost 200 vacancies in the service, data also revealed that average waiting times for young people accessing the service have rocketed in some areas post-Covid. Opposition MSPs have now demanded an urgent review of the “dangerously overstretched” service while families told the Record how children are being severely let down.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.30am on Saturday, April 22, 2023, the body of a 15-year-old female was discovered near Union Way, Uddingston. There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
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