A grieving mum whose son tragically jumped from the Tyne Bridge aims to mark the fourth anniversary of his death by helping others struggling with their mental health.
Brendan Smail, 20, was suffering from depression when he took his own life on May 30, 2018, leaving his family and friends devastated. Almost four years on, his heartbroken mother Mary Smail is doing everything she can to help other people in his position.
The 54-year-old, who lives in Walker, Newcastle, has been chatting on Facebook to people who need help and she is hoping to open a centre near the bridge where people can seek immediate support, under the name Brendan's Trust.
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Mary, who is also mum to Cavan, 35, Stephen, 33, Scott, 29, and Bobby-Lee, 27, said: "He was a young man who walked around with a big smile on his face, hugging people and making them laugh. So everybody that knew him was shocked by what happened. I beat myself up, I think why didn't I pick up on it but he had that lovely smile. Brendan hid it so well.
"Suicide is rising because of Covid and the cost of living has gone right up. I feel it's now worse than ever. There's more people living on the street and people don't even put their heating on because they can't afford to live. People think the easiest thing is to end their life. What I want to do is help people by being there for them."
Brendan, who lived with his brother Scott in Elswick, studied sport and leisure at Gateshead College and had worked at McDonald's in Washington. He had a talent for art and he enjoyed playing football.
On Monday, Mary will mark the fourth year since his passing by holding a fundraising night in his memory at the PTE Social Club in Walker. The money raised from the event will be donated to mental health charity Mind.
The mum-of-five, who works as a senior care assistant at The Manor House in Gosforth, said: "I feel in my heart that's what he wants me to do. Brendan was such a good person and he wouldn't think twice about doing it. He was funny and he was loving and he was always there to help people.
"The last time I saw him he had his arms around me and he said 'love you mam' and I said 'love you too'. I sit and watch for him coming down the path, it's really tough."
Mary, who is also supported by her mum Liz Garner, 75, wants to track down the members of the emergency services who attempted to save Brendan's life.
She said: "I want to speak to them face to face and say 'thank you so much for trying hard'. I can't turn the clock back but I want to say to them 'thank you very much for doing everything you could' - I really do appreciate it. If they turned up at this charity night on Monday I think I would just burst into tears."
Mary said everyone is welcome to attend the fundraising event, which will include raffles and games, on Monday night. It will take place from 7pm and entry to the venue is free. She added: "I want to see everybody smiling. It gives me the strength to move forward."
Brendan's brother Bobby previously made an emotional plea for anyone struggling with mental health issues to speak out. He told Chronicle Live back in 2019: "He didn’t really speak about it to anyone. I didn’t really know about it until after it had happened. He disappeared on May 30 for a while and I went to look for him.
"I was at my other brother’s house when I got the phone call from my dad who told me to go home, he sat me down and told me what happened. I could not believe it at first - it took a little while to sink in."
He added: "If you are struggling, speak to someone. Mind is just one charity that can help you."
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