On Behalf of joes mum 

Joe’s story is not just about one man. It is about men’s mental health, suicide prevention and the support available to people struggling behind prison walls.

Joe had lived with mental-health difficulties for years following the breakdown of his relationship. He had lost so much and began to see himself as ugly and worthless, despite being a genuinely beautiful person who was deeply loved.

For around four years, medication had been part of Joe’s life. While in prison, he was denied that medication while waiting to be seen by mental-health services. He was repeatedly told he was “number 27 on the list.”

Eight days before Joe died, he attempted to take his own life. I contacted the prison repeatedly and begged for him to be placed somewhere safe and put on suicide watch. I explained that he had attempted to hang himself and that he had even sent me a goodbye letter.

There are recorded telephone calls between Joe and me, held by the prison, where he can be heard asking for help and begging for his medication.

Eight days later, Joe sadly took his own life.

We believe Joe’s story highlights important questions about mental-health care within prisons.

Prison officers are often the people who see prisoners every day. We believe they should receive stronger, ongoing training in recognising mental-health crises, suicidal behaviour, self-harm and changes in someone’s behaviour.

We also believe families need to be listened to. Families often know the person behind the prisoner number. They may recognise changes in behaviour, know their history and be able to identify when something is seriously wrong.

When a family member raises an urgent concern about someone’s safety, that information should be taken seriously and passed to the appropriate professionals.

This is not about blaming every prison officer. Many officers work in incredibly difficult circumstances and genuinely want to help. It is about asking whether the system gives them the training, resources and support they need to recognise when someone is in crisis.

Men need to know that asking for help is not weakness.

Mental illness does not disappear because someone is in prison.

A prison sentence should never mean losing access to appropriate mental-health care.

Listen to men. Listen to families. Train staff. Take warning signs seriously. Act before it is too late.

Joe deserved to be heard. Joe deserved support. Joe deserved another chance. ❤️

❤️ HELP US SHARE JOE’S STORY ❤️

Please share this post and invite others to join our petition.

The more people who hear Joe’s story, the more awareness we can raise about men’s mental health, suicide prevention and mental-health support within prisons.

One share could reach someone who needs to hear that they are not alone and it’s okay to ask for help.

Share the post. Share the petition. Start the conversation.

For Joe. For other men. For change.

Joes journey is also on a Facebook group the link is bellow.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DediLGsGE/?mibextid=wwXIfr