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Beyond Today

Why are more young women killing themselves?

Beyond Today

BBC

News

4.61.1K Ratings

🗓️ 11 February 2020

⏱️ 19 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Callie Lewis was just 24 years old when she took her own life. Callie had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at a young age and had always struggled with chronic depression and suicidal thoughts, but at the end of her life she fell through the cracks of an overstretched mental health system. She sought solace online and ended up on a suicide forum where she was given detailed advice on how to kill herself. Callie’s death comes at a time when many people are struggling to connect with the services they need, and the news that growing numbers of young women are taking their own lives. In this episode we speak to Ellie Flynn, a reporter for the BBC’s Panorama programme who’s spent the last 16 months getting to know Ellie’s family and friends and trying to unpick what happened in the run up to her death. We also hear from Caroline Herroe, the CEO of a suicide prevention project in Nottingham. If you have been affected by the issues raised in this episode, help and support can be found on the BBC Action Line website. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4WLs5NlwrySXJR2n8Snszdg/emotional-distress-information-and-support The NHS told us: “Community mental health services for adults are expanding and improving through the NHS Long Term Plan, which is investing almost £1 billion more each year in these services, and is increasing the number of staff working in community-based mental health teams by over 10,000 over the next four years.” Presenter: Matthew Price Producer: Katie Gunning Mixed by Emma Crowe Editor: Philly Beaumont

Transcript

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0:00.0

BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts.

0:05.0

Before we start, this is a really tough episode of Beyond Today to listen to.

0:09.0

It's about suicide, so if you'd rather not listen, please press stop now.

0:15.0

I'm Matthew Price. This is Beyond Today from BBC Radio 4.

0:21.0

Every day we ask one big question about one big story.

0:27.0

Today, why are more young women killing themselves? Welcome to this beautiful place where we gather to celebrate the life of Kali.

0:49.4

What brings us here is...

0:51.0

Back in September 2018 they held a funeral.

0:54.0

I think we all know that Kali was unique.

0:58.0

She wasn't much like me.

1:00.0

It happened on a breezy day at Eden Valley natural burial ground in Kent.

1:04.8

I used to imagine her, still alive at 90, surrounded by cats and cups of tea.

1:10.9

Probably still saying she wanted to die. Cali Lewis's friends and family said goodbye to her.

1:18.0

She was my first one.

1:19.0

She was the first grandchild who had grandparents,

1:21.0

and she will always be the eldest of three sisters, always my oldest daughter. I love you, Callie.

1:27.0

Callie was 24 when she killed herself and her mum Sarah now wants to share her story.

1:34.0

Kelly was very, very passionate about whatever it was she would turn her mind to.

1:41.0

She was really passionate about animals and animal rights so she would always say that she much preferred animals to people.

1:48.0

Cali was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at a young age. She struggled with chronic depression and suicidal thoughts.

1:56.6

Her story isn't a one-off, but it's a story about the cracks in the mental health system and

2:01.9

how the internet can fill those cracks.

...

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