Angie Hurst

Wife, Mum to two boys (26 and 25 year olds!) and a daughter in Heaven, Primary school Cover Supervisor and Pastoral Lead, West Ham United lover... #COYI

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

Today I lost my cousin - he was a front line paramedic who contracted Covid while at work - he was in an induced coma and on a ventilator, but it wasn’t enough to save him - he was 48. Wear your masks, Covid is real and it is a fucking bastard virus. #sleepwellRob #loveyouforever

[Alice Smith @TheAliceSmith]

What does it feel like to be British?

It feels like being a second class citizen in your own country, paying for foreigners to loot and rape you, while your rulers call you evil if you complain.

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@m4rk1964 Sending you lots of love xxx

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@JoeBangles11 Stunning…

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Suicide.

I'm choosing to be deliberately blunt and provocative in this post because it's necessary. Government, charities, football clubs are all pushing water up a hill in highlighting what is undoubtedly a major health crisis.

You take a rope.
You put it up in a garage or a tree nearby or far away.
You're thinking about every loved one you'll leave behind as you put that rope around your neck.
Then you drop.

Some are decapitated.
Some aren't.
All are found by someone who has a lifetime of trauma that will never leave them.
A son.
A daughter.
A brother.
A sister.
A mother.
A father.

I know 2 men who hung themselves.

One was found by his Mom.
One was found by his brother.
Neither have recovered fully. 20 and 30 years on.

A life sentence for people who were already worrying, terrified their loved one may do something.

So just visualise the above and ask, "is there another way"?

A segway for a moment.

I do a few Q&A's every year. Tales of yesterday with a 99% male audience of my age group.

After the stories and fun, my last question back to the audience is..

"Hands up if you struggle with a mental health issue".

Nobody ever puts a hand up. Despite 1 in every 3 of 500 attendees statistically struggling.

"Ah, nobody, that's fucking brilliant! Well I do! ". I then graphically tell people, stunned into silence about how a rope around my neck in the middle of nowhere jolted me to go home and cry like a baby to my Mom.

After the Q&A has finished, something always happens. I'll be chatting to a few guys, saying bye and one by one, men will come over and whisper " I struggle".

Or my mailbox the next day will have 30 emails from guys, their partners or kids saying " Dad/Uncle /Brother was there last night and what you said hit them hard".

And that's how some people realise that it's time to speak to a pal or family member or even rant to me in an email. It works, I often get a follow up email a year or 6 later saying that they took responsibility for their suicidal feelings and are now flying.

Humans are programmed to want to live, to have families and to keep the species growing and thriving. So for a human to want to short circuit that desire isn't normal, and it should never be spoken of as normal. It's the ultimate red flag.

If you suspect your mate, Dad, Brother, Uncle is struggling mentally, they deserve your intervention.

They deserve a " are you OK, please tell me what's up".

They deserve an opportunity to get past wanting to hang a rope over a tree or in a garage and slowly struggle until they die and you find them.

If you've been there and trust me I have plenty, then you'll know that text out of the blue, or a footie mate or one of your kids asking jow you are can open the curtains to some sunshine.

Because when suicide is your only answer, the room is already dark, and you can't see a way out.

So please, fucking pretty please, ask that husband, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, footie pal TODAY how they are.

You may be shocked what comes back but extremely glad that you asked.

For those who struggle, you're not alone.

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

Baby Loss Awareness Week - Emily Charlotte - always and forever

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@JoeBangles11 Please ask me mine?

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@JoeBangles11 Well said, I am a product of East London in the 70s and agree with everything you’ve said x

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@JasonManford Protesting to get our country back?

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Yes

[Basil the Great @BasilTheGreat]

All of the worst people in the country are going to be absolutely raging today 🤣

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@ClarksonsFarm1 Yes!

[Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 @TRobinsonNewEra]

We are making history 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 @TRobinsonNewEra]

Millions & millions are rising , we will honour @charliekirk11 ❤️❤️

[Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 @TRobinsonNewEra]

Britain is awake , we are no longer afraid , you will not take our right to free speech @Keir_Starmer WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK https://t.co/EXKBCOL5G8

[All The Right Movies @ATRightMovies]

JAWS was released 50 years ago today. Regarded the first summer blockbuster and a landmark of Hollywood, the making of story is so crazy it begs the question of how it was ever made…

1/47

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@JaneFallon I hear you x

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@Dale_Stafford @Keir_Starmer Excellent point!

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@JoeBangles11 Oh no! 💔

[Richard Chizmar @RichardChizmar]

Stephen King graciously offered to sign 50 copies of this issue when it is published later this summer. Sunday night, I will pick one random winner to receive a signed copy. Just have to Follow and RT to be eligible. Good luck!

[Angie Hurst @AngJHurst]

@Phil_Sledge Fudge - best dog in the world 🌈