Bridgnorth woman urges people to get help as she tells her story to help others
A Bridgnorth woman, whose twin sister took her own life three years ago, has shared her devastating story to urge others to seek mental health support, claiming a local service 'saved her life'.
Julie Brazier was left shattered by the suicide of her sister, Janet, in May 2022. The tragedy led to a severe decline in Julie's mental well-being, prompting her and her husband, Lyndon, to reach out to the Stay Mentally Healthy Hub in Bridgnorth.
Julie and Janet, born just 15 minutes apart in 1964, were inseparable. Julie described their bond, saying, "No one else came close to what we had between us."
The trauma of loss was not new to Janet, who had attempted suicide in 2005 after her husband died of cancer at 36. Although Janet received a follow-up from the NHS Mental Health Team at the time, no further contact was made.
The shock of Janet's death in 2022 - which Julie and Lyndon discovered after breaking into her house following a silent journey home from holiday, sent Julie into a spiral of despair and self-harming thoughts.
The Struggle to Cope
Following her sister's death, Julie consulted her GP, who prescribed antidepressants and sleep aids, and referred her for counselling. However, 18 months later, her situation had barely improved.
"I didn’t seem to be getting over my loss and grief – it was in me every minute and in every thought," Julie said. She recounted re-living the horrific discovery every morning to convince herself it was "real life."
It was a sudden, irrational outburst from her husband, Lyndon - who had been quietly struggling with anger over Janet's actions - that led them to the Hub.
Hub's Swift Intervention
Julie found the local Stay Mentally Healthy Hub on Facebook and contacted them immediately. Lyndon was offered an appointment with founder Mary Phillips the very next week and, after just two sessions, felt his anger dissipate.
When Julie finally reached out for herself, she was seen within days. Mary Phillips introduced her to the 'Self Empowerment Journey' process.
"She said she could help me and for most people, even those with suicidal thoughts, it only takes two to three sessions," Julie explained.
After only two-and-a-half sessions, Julie's life transformed. She declared to Mary, "I thought she had 'fixed me'." Her waking thoughts changed from the horrific memory of her sister's passing to something positive.
Empowerment and Hope
"It has made a huge difference to my life... I now feel in control again," Julie stated. Feeling empowered, she is currently undertaking a course on mental health in children and young people to support her five grandchildren.
Mary Phillips, founder of the Hub, said Julie's case demonstrates the impact of their rapid service. "After just two-and-a-half sessions and months later, she is still in a great place, no longer feeling suicidal but living a productive and joyful life."
Julie is now actively encouraging friends to use the service, successfully helping one friend who was struggling and on a long waiting list for NHS counselling.
The Stay Mentally Healthy Hub is urging anyone struggling with grief or mental health issues to seek help quickly.
For more information, visit staymentallyhealthy.org.uk or email bridgnorth-hub@staymentallyhealthy.org.uk
