Samantha Foster
In loving memory of Caitlin Cunningham
Fundraising for Change Mental Health
Story
On Monday 19th April, our beautiful, loving, fun and bubbly daughter Caitlin took her own life after a long battle with her mental health. Leaving behind a loving and devastated family, including her doting brother and sister, aged 1 and 5. Not even 3 weeks prior, on 3rd April 2020, Caitlin shared the following post on social media:
‘This is probably a very controversial post to post, but I feel it needs to be said. I have been struggling with seizures for almost two years now and have received little to no help. I am fed up, feel like I can't cope with life and just I need help. I am very lucky to have a few friends that try to support me, which I am extremely grateful for. However, I do get very pissed off at the fact that the government have tried to say the NHS are fully open and supportive when I have been struggling with this tragedy for so long, even before Covid. Since a young age, I have tried to gain emotional and mental support. Every time I have been made to feel like my problems are minimalistic and unworthy of their time. This just goes to show that the whole mental health stigma is still a big thing where we live and still needs to be discussed and sorted before many other young people lose their lives. Mental health is normal, and pardon the pun, but a very normal aspect of everyone's lives. It is something that needs to be shared and talked about. After all, a problem shared, is a problem halved. Personally, I am here for anyone who needs a chat. No judgement involved.’
Caitlin was an advocate for mental health however, sadly her own words were not enough to save her. We believe that Caitlin now, instead would want us to use the words she has written to raise both awareness and money towards Mind Scotland, a charity focused on bridging the gap of services that the NHS is not providing.
We all love and miss Caitlin more than we can ever express and want to keep her memory alive by supporting a cause, which is fighting hard to ensure no person or family must go through this unbearable pain in the future.