AN IRVINE pensioner who planned his own suicide has urged people in debt difficulties to follow his lead and seek help from the charity which helped save his life.
Ron Graham, 68, said spiralling debt had a devastating effect on his mental health.
He revealed: “Living in debt was unbearable and I felt so down and isolated.
“Fortunately, a close friend found out that I planned to take my own life and encouraged me to seek help.
"I received support from the community link worker at my local doctors' surgery and was told that all I had to do was call Christians Against Poverty's free helpline and I’d be allocated a local debt coach to help me.
“That was the hardest phone call I ever had to make, but it saved my life, and turned out to be the best thing I could ever have done.
“My debt coach gave me hope that there really could be a future for me after all.”
After making the initial phone call, Ron was connected to the Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre in Irvine who work in partnership with United Irvine Church of Scotland.
Since receiving debt help five years ago, Ron has taken full control of his finances and is a keen supporter of the charity.
He walked the West Highland Way to raise money for Christians Against Poverty and has often spoken about his experience of poverty at the Scottish Parliament and on national TV news and radio programmes.
Ron is also being interviewed on Premier Christian Radio tomorrow (Thursday, September 18) to speak of his journey out of debt.
He said: “Christians Against Poverty supported me with more than just my debts, they helped me regain my confidence and sense of purpose as well. I am living proof that working with Christians Against Poverty can make a difference to your life. I would recommend them to anyone."
Christian's Against Poverty's debt coach Alan McLaren said the strain of poverty was becoming unbearable, with some people so overwhelmed by debt that they even contemplate taking their own lives.
He added: “The burden of debt is so heavy and the feelings of utter hopelessness so strong that for many people struggling in poverty this can lead to extreme emotional distress.
“CAP’s recent client report reveals that a staggering 49 per cent of new CAP clients considered or attempted suicide as a way out of debt before seeking help. This statistic is simply heartbreaking.
“Sadly, the suicidal feelings Ron experienced when he had unmanageable debt are all too common. Our service is free and is not just for Christians – it’s available to all.
"That’s why we encourage anyone who is worrying about their personal debt issues to visit our website at capuk.org/help or call our freephone number, 0800 328 0006. There really is no time to lose.”
If you’re experiencing feelings of distress or despair, you can visit samaritans.org for confidential support.
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