Teens need to talk, says Bridgend suicide mother

THE grieving mother of one of the 17 young people from Bridgend, Wales, thought to have hanged themselves urged other teenagers to talk about their problems yesterday.

Anthony Martin, 19, was found hanging on April 26 last year in his home in Heol Ty Maen, Cefn Glas — the same area of Bridgend where two of the latest victims, Nathaniel Pritchard and Kelly Stephenson, lived.

His mother Tracy Roberts, who has three daughters, said her son should have been given more help after becoming depressed when he was made redundant.

The 38-year-old said: “If any youngsters out there are feeling that way, please, please, talk to your parents or a friend. It’s so important that they get help.

“They have to realise that not only are they going to destroy themselves and their life, but they’re going to destroy the lives of their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters as well. It has a knock-on effect.”

Roberts said her son was self-harming daily in the run-up to his death and attended appointments at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend. She believes, however, that he was not offered the help he needed.

“My son was not given the right help. The hospital said he could not be sectioned, but how many times do you have to attempt to take your life before you are taken seriously?” she said.