One day in April 2023 me and my best friend walked home from school for the last time. I didn’t know it then but less than three hours later the girl I was currently laughing and messing around with would take her life. This amazing girl’s death came as the biggest shock to me because just days before we were dancing in the garden, bouncing on the trampoline, making plans for the summer.

I'm walking 13 miles for my friend because she is worth everything in this world and more. A mile for every year she lived.

At 12 years old the grief hit me very hard. I struggled to understand anything about what happened, especially that I was never going to see her again. My mental health deteriorated quickly after the funeral because I felt that my best friend had been forgotten, even though I knew deep down that everyone who knew her was distraught as she was such a joy to be around and had many other close friends. Over a year later I was still struggling despite seeing different therapists. Nothing ever seemed to make me feel better, I was so sad and just wanted her back.

After CAMHS said they couldn’t help me I went to the Tomorrow Project and spoke to a lovely woman for six weeks. For the first time I felt understood. We would play games and stuff whilst talking which wasn’t offered very much in the other places. I also felt comfortable with my new therapist and that we could relate to one another. She helped me have hope again.

I believe the Tomorrow Project could help many many more children who have struggled with their mental health after losing a friend to suicide like me. Thank you for reading my story.