On the 26th July 2022 , I received a phone call from my Dad to tell me that my beautiful daughter Macie had tragically took her own life  at just 18 years old . As a family we are devastated and are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Macie,  We are no doubt facing some dark days  and sad times ahead . 

Macie was a beautiful soul full of life and character, she was funny , kind , very caring and loving  … most of the time!  , she had a fragile mind and struggled with her emotions following childhood trauma in her early years following the death of her mother .

Macies biological mother had her own challenges with mental health and suffered with bipolar disorder , as a result of this Macie came to live with me when she was 4 years old . 

Sarah ( Macie’s mum ) sadly took  her own life when Macie was just 7 years old.

Macie suffered for many months at the hands of bullies , who would harass her , tell her to do things to herself , and said vile and mean things that really affected her mental health and self esteem. Sadly bullying and social media ‘trolling’ isn’t a crime - it’s currently ‘under review’ in parliament !! 

The impact of her mother’s death and the ongoing bullying I believe impacted her troubled mind  significantly.and she was diagnosed with EDD ( emotional dysregulation disorder in September 2021 .

 This condition meant that she felt every emotion so intensely, the good and the bad , she tried so hard and after counselling she seemed to be in a good space , regulating her own emotions using techniques that she had learnt ,  she had a part time job , was a good student , always the life and soul of the party and she will be so sadly missed by many.

It can be hard as parents to recognise these signs  as anything more than ‘being a bit dramatic , or moody or several other emotions that we see in our adolescent teens as we can be blind to it. 

 I want to raise funds and awareness in her name so that other families of young people suffering with EDD or BPD have a chance of saving their child and helping them live with their condition and learn techniques to manage the rollercoaster of emotions they face. The charity young minds has some great information and guides for young people and families to help better understand traits , triggers , contacts for support . I just wish that I had been aware of it sooner ! 

Macie was loved by many and if love was enough she would have lived forever. She was my whole world and I would give everything I have for one more day with her 😞

Many of us are fighting a battle nobody knows anything about- Be Kind !  🙏🏻

Please help me to raise as much as possible in my daughters name to remove the stigma and taboo often associated with mental health. ❤️

Thank you so much 

David Xx