A mum from West Lothian who tragically lost her son to suicide has spoken of a 'healing experience' six months after.
The family of Jamie Aitchison has been spreading hope to others after they were left heartbroken when his took his own life in December 2022 at the age of just 20.
Mum Debbieanne Marriott said she was helpless and that her son had struggled with mental health issues and addiction.
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Following the tragic loss, she has since thrown herself into helping others who are struggling and set up the Jamie's Sanctuary charity, the Record reports.
Last week, she was joined by Jamie's family as his grandmother and granddad took part in the Baton of Hope event with mental health campaigner Andrew Feeney and walked 26 miles.
Debbieanne explained: “Only a certain amount of people get to carry this and we were delighted to be selected.
“We walked 26 miles from Glasgow Green to Holyrood in Edinburgh.
“Andrew was amazing, he walked all the way from the Highlands to join in! it took him nine days and he also walked back.
“The guy is a total inspiration to mental health as a suicide survivor himself, he walks the length and breadth of Scotland to raise awareness, he takes no money and isn’t a charity.
She continued: “I’m so proud of everyone, it was so emotional.
“Andrew is a suicide survivor so hearing him speak of his pain really helped heal a part of me too. It was an amazing experience.”
Baton of Hope UK is the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen, opening up necessary conversations and prompting appropriate actions.
A spokesperson for Baton of Hope UK said: “The specially designed baton will tour UK towns and cities for two weeks in Summer 2023, raising the profile of this issue like never before.
“Together we can reduce the stigma, and get better at asking questions, listening, and directing people to the right help. Together we can save lives.”
