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May 2021

Last Updated: 10/05/2021

Community

Harrogate dad shares last messages with son who killed himself

by Connor Creaghan

| 10 May, 2021

Jordan Phillip was just 34 when he took his life. The day before, he and his dad had been texting each other and arranging to meet.

A Harrogate dad has shared the last messages he exchanged with his son shortly before he took his life to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Steve Phillip founded The Jordan Legacy in his son's name to improve people’s wellbeing and support available to them.

Jordan was 34 when he took his life on December 4 2019. The day before, Steve and Jordan had been texting each other and talking about meeting up.

But the meeting never happened. Mr Phillip has spoken previously to the Stray Ferret of his anguish.

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Now transcripts of his final message has been made available to encourage others to come forward.

Mr Phillip has also revealed details of the call he received from his son's girlfriend Charlotte revealing the news.

She broke into the house with the help of a neighbour and found Jordan:

Me: "Hi Charlotte?"

Charlotte: "Hi Steve, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. It's Jordan. He's killed himself."

The call lasted two minutes but Steve does not know what he or Charlotte said for the remaining one minute and 45 seconds. He said:

"Jordan was the kind of person who would stop and chat to homeless people and to local strangers.

"He loved his family and his friends so much that he would often protect them from the ultimate depths of his despair.

"But he was always there for them, no matter how difficult his day was. There was nothing selfish about Jordan, not even at the moment he chose to end his pain.

"He took the time to write notes to his girlfriend Charlotte and his family to let us know that he loved us.

"If I could give any advice to anyone it would be look after those around you, listen to them more, be there, don’t be scared to question the signs you see and ask the difficult questions."

Mental Health Awareness Week starts today and finishes on Sunday.

The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago and the annual event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness raising weeks in the UK and globally.

To mark the start of the week, North Yorkshire Police has also revealed how the number of mental health calls it has taken over the last year has grown to 32,117.

That is an increase of 6,512 calls compared to the previous April to March period.

Do you need help or know someone who does? Get help from a mental health charity helpline by tapping here.

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Harrogate dad shares last messages with son who killed himself

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