Share

Brave model shares heartbreaking picture following her suicide attempt

accreditation

This model shared a photo of herself taken after her suicide attempt, hoping it will urge people to seek help for depression and anxiety.

Lauren Kitchen (22) from Perth, Australia, battled with depression and anxiety after being diagnosed with alopecia (a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body) and losing all her hair during her teenage years, Daily Mail reports.

Instead of seeking help she attempted suicide a few years ago, the 22-year-old recently revealed in a candid Instagram post.

“I’m going to share something very personal,” Lauren wrote.

“This photo was taken 2 or 3 years ago whilst I was in ICU in a coma having a breathing machine doing my breathing whilst my body tried to heal from trying to end my own life.

“In the 2 weeks leading up to this, I had tried to commit suicide 2 times without success.

“I saw nothing for my life, I didn’t want to be alive anymore, I hated every part of making it through this coma.

“After coming out of this coma I was moved to a high dependency ward because I was still very sick and weak.

The blonde beauty opened up about her encounter with a nurse, who encouraged her to keep fighting.

“During this time I had a 1:1 nurse and even though at the time I didn’t see or want to believe anything she said, she would tell me how much god needed me to stay on this earth, and how he kept me here for a reason.

“She was my first main support after waking up, she believed that I deserved life, she helped me gain the strength to walk again.

“It wasn’t till recently I realised she believed I needed to live to get married, have kids.

“I look back at this and think if that girl knew me now she wouldn’t want to die, my family loves me, and it would have broken them all if I didn’t make it,” she said.

Lauren went on to encourage people to seek help if they’re struggling with a mental illness.

“You are so worthy of life. People love and believe in you. You’re strong beyond words.

“Talk I can’t emphasise that enough someone will always listen if you speak up. I know for me I wish I had spoken up before ending up where I was.

“Breaking my families hearts. I am 100% stronger from everything I have been through.

“But PLEASE don’t let yourself get to where I was, seek help, you're worthy of help, it’s okay to speak up!” Lauren said.

This isn’t the first time Lauren has spoken out about her struggles.

In an interview with wellness website Self in 2016, the young woman opened up about her battle with alopecia.

“I remember sitting there and just crying in the doctor’s office and taking my wig off as he looked at my head and began to tell me and my mum that the follicle of the hair was still there, but the chances of it growing back were slim,” she said.

But Lauren later learned that her condition was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Yes, my hair is a major physical aspect of my appearance, but my friends and family love me for me.”

Sources: Daily Mail, The Sun, Self

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()