Family heartache as dad and son take own lives 10 days apart

A devastated family have spoken of their heartache after a dad took his own life 10 days after his son's tragic death.

It's been a year to the day since "one in a million" Jack Mitchell, 27, took his own life after a long battle with mental health.

Jack, from High Spen in Gateshead, had struggled with anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) since he was a teenager and had been seeking help through counselling.

The online tutor had gone for a walk on January 20, 2020, and never returned.

His family later went out searching for him and he was found in Chopwell Woods, reports Chronicle Live.

The family and community were in shock, but for distraught dad Wayne he "paid the ultimate sacrifice" in the devastating aftermath of his son's death.

Just 10 days after Jack passed away, the 62-year-old took his own life - an almighty blow which left the Mitchell family in pieces.

He left behind wife Julia, children Victoria and Scott as well as grandchildren Joshua, Lydia, Izaac and Kendal.

Victoria, 23, and Scott, 33, said the family have been left shell-shocked and has struggled to come to terms with their tragic loss.

A double funeral was held which was attended by hundreds of mourners and funded by kind-hearted members of the public who raised a total of £8,000.

Wayne had also suffered with his mental health for around a decade, but Victoria and Scott said their dad went "downhill" after the passing of his youngest son.

They said: "It still just doesn't seem real. We were in pure shock. We just felt numb.

"Dad was a very funny man who loved telling rubbish jokes. He was well thought of and was very sociable.

"He was a family man and absolutely loved his grandchildren. He had such a close bond with Jack too.

"It was the ultimate sacrifice for a dad. He did not want Jack to go alone.

"We had a lot of support from the whole village. Jack's friends set up the fundraising page and it took a huge weight off our shoulders."

Their heartache and pain lives on, as do the cherished memories of the father and son "who were too good for this world".

"I think we will always struggle to get our heads around what happened," said Victoria.

"There's all the questions of why, ifs and buts. If we went out for the walk with Jack that day would it have stopped it from happening?

"We just have to take every day as it comes. Some days are better than others but there's nothing we can do that can change what has happened.

"We talk about them all the time."

On the first anniversary of Jack's death, the family had intended on throwing a big party for family and friends to remember him and also to raise cash for the mental health charity Mind.

However, Covid restrictions mean that won't be possible and Victoria said the family will mark the occasion in their own way.

She believes more funding needs to be invested in mental health services to prevent loved ones like Jack and Wayne reaching the stage where they feel as though they are out of options.

Victoria said: "Mental health is underfunded. At one point Jack had to wait 13 weeks before he could get a telephone appointment so it just shows the demand on the service.

"We want to raise awareness of mental health and have done a lot of fundraising. In July we had a birthday party for our brother Scott and we raised over £4,000 for Mind.

"The support from the community has been amazing and we're so thankful for them.

"We now have a memorial bench for Jack and Wayne at Chopwell Woods which is usually a meeting place for birthdays and anniversaries.

"One year on we still cannot understand their deaths and I don't think we ever will."

For confidential support from volunteers, including for suicidal thoughts, Samaritans can be contacted free, on 116 123 or by email to jo@samaritans.org

Anyone experiencing mental health problems should also contact their GP for help.