My name, Kevin, age 40 this year. My story starts about 30 years ago when I was a victim of sexual abuse by a friend of the family. I was only ten and didn’t know what was going on. As I became a teenager I got into trouble stealing from shops just generally being a pain, until I got kicked out of school for stealing from other pupils. I got sent to a boarding school to try and turn things around.
My 18th birthday present was there’s your suitcase ***** off. At the age of 19 I moved into share a house with some friends, and one of them was gay, he attacked me, and I tried to commit suicide at the age of 21. after that I decided sod this!!! I am not going to be beaten any more. I started doing ambulance work for St.John and did twelve years ambulance work.
In 2003 I got a police commendation for bravery from Lancashire police. In 2004 I got another commendation from the police, but this time a national commendation for bravery, for stopping two people from beating an elderly person to death. It’s now 2009 and I regularly suffer from depression, but am fighting it with the help of my wonderful wife, and I try and help other people not to suffer like I did.
I am now, and have been for the last 8ish years been a search and rescue officer for the coastguard, often being called to deal with suicides and attempted suicides. I have spoken with many people who were intent on taking their own lives and have convinced them otherwise. I am on medication for depression, and have good days and bad days. There is always life at the end of the tunnel. And I will say, look for the bright side, it may only be a dim brightness, but it’s there if you search hard enough. I had a bad youth, turned it around and am still fighting, sometimes an uphill struggle. But just think you are not alone, and there is always help if you look. Kevin Olsen
