finbar lynch
Tom Lynch's page
Fundraising for Doctors in Distress
Story
This is Tom (known to many as Dr. Tom). The smiley, kind, generous, big hearted, talented and clever chap. The adventurer and lover of a wholesome outdoor life-style. The one who was there for others when they needed support, help or just friendship. The one who wanted to do well at everything he tried, to support others in achieving their ambitions and to be liked by all. The one who picked up old ladies who made a habit of falling over when he was close by, or people who fell off bikes, cut off fingers while slicing ham in supermarkets or fell ill during flights. He was a magnet for these types of things and never hesitated to leap in and assist. But, he was also the one who never recognised that he achieved great things in life, the good things he wanted to be known for and would never have believed that so many people valued, respected and loved him.
Tom suffered for years from anxiety and depression. He hid these demons well, too well. He felt them deeply though and to cope with his feelings of despair, hopelessness, failure and uselessness he resorted to over-the-counter and prescription drugs to enable him to continue to be the person everyone thought he was, that he was before the drugs took control of him in the last few days of his life. He hid his addiction effectively for years, even from his family with whom he spent a great deal of time and who love him deeply and unconditionally. He had crises, many of them, but picked himself up, sometimes sharing to some extent his innermost thoughts and fears with his parents, and appeared to take the help and support offered, acting as though life had become more bearable. In more recent years he found help through rehab and counselling including a period of time in Clouds. He did well at these, working hard to achieve what was expected…but he never showed his real self so could never fully benefit from them. His self-loathing and shame made him cover up just how bad things were for him. Right up until the very end he hid just how desperate he was and the seriousness of his mental health and drug taking problem.
In September 2022 he stopped working as a doctor and embarked on a course in furniture making, intending to start a new, less stressful but fulfilling career. Despite loving the course and producing some beautiful pieces of furniture we now know that his mental health problems did not abate as he had hoped and on 13th June, Tom ended his life. He leaves a family who mourn and miss him deeply, a daughter he loved dearly and many, many friends.
In his 36 years Tom travelled further, had greater successes and achieved more than many twice his age. He continued to be proud of being a doctor and to have great respect for all those working in health care. He also recognised that many suffered similar problems to him and for this reason we are seeking to raise funds for Doctors in Distress whose vision is to protect mental health and stop suicide in health workers.
Tom suffered for years from anxiety and depression. He hid these demons well, too well. He felt them deeply though and to cope with his feelings of despair, hopelessness, failure and uselessness he resorted to over-the-counter and prescription drugs to enable him to continue to be the person everyone thought he was, that he was before the drugs took control of him in the last few days of his life. He hid his addiction effectively for years, even from his family with whom he spent a great deal of time and who love him deeply and unconditionally. He had crises, many of them, but picked himself up, sometimes sharing to some extent his innermost thoughts and fears with his parents, and appeared to take the help and support offered, acting as though life had become more bearable. In more recent years he found help through rehab and counselling including a period of time in Clouds. He did well at these, working hard to achieve what was expected…but he never showed his real self so could never fully benefit from them. His self-loathing and shame made him cover up just how bad things were for him. Right up until the very end he hid just how desperate he was and the seriousness of his mental health and drug taking problem.
In September 2022 he stopped working as a doctor and embarked on a course in furniture making, intending to start a new, less stressful but fulfilling career. Despite loving the course and producing some beautiful pieces of furniture we now know that his mental health problems did not abate as he had hoped and on 13th June, Tom ended his life. He leaves a family who mourn and miss him deeply, a daughter he loved dearly and many, many friends.
In his 36 years Tom travelled further, had greater successes and achieved more than many twice his age. He continued to be proud of being a doctor and to have great respect for all those working in health care. He also recognised that many suffered similar problems to him and for this reason we are seeking to raise funds for Doctors in Distress whose vision is to protect mental health and stop suicide in health workers.