Family's anguish as third Inverness man takes his own life
THE devastated parents of a 21-year-old city man who took his own life – the third to do so since October – have called for more help for people at risk of suicide.
Jordan Wallace was found dead by his girlfriend at his home in Lochardil on Friday. He knew Inverness pals Michael Williamson and Martin Shaw, aged 23, who killed themselves within days of each other just two months ago.
He was also a friend of Ryan Watt, a promising young boxer, who was found dead at his Westhill home on Boxing Day last year.
Mr Wallace lived with his father Kevin in Drumdevon Place while his mother, Morven, lives in Inshes Mews with her 14-year-old son Scott.
The stunned couple spoke jointly about how the news of Jordan’s death in the early hours of Friday came out of the blue - and how more support needed to be made available so other parents would not suffer the same heartbreak.
The couple said they believed services for vulnerable people in need of help and advice were under-resourced.
"It is happening too often - but it is only really when it happens to you that you realise." Mr Wallace said. "I just cannot believe it."
Mrs Wallace, who runs The Gallery hair dressing salon in Cradlehall Court, said she was aware two other city men had recently taken their own lives.
She added: "Some people might think Inverness is a big place but this is hitting everyone.
"It is affecting so many people – they need to step up and realise something should be done to help the young ones."
The couple revealed their son, a former Millburn Academy pupil, had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as anxiety issues when he was 17. The diagnosis followed a number of troubled school years, during which he attended numerous appointments with different doctors and child pyschologists.
"I have never seen a guy so happy to be diagnosed," Mr Wallace recalled.
"He knew there was something wrong but he had been told he was disruptive.
"There was no help. He was very bright and intelligent, but he missed a lot of school through it."
After leaving school, Jordan worked as an apprentice bricklayer for a short time, although he ultimately decided it was not the career for him.
In October last year, Mr Wallace successfully battled against a life-threatening sinus infection which went to his brain. He was given a 50-50 chance of survival and underwent three operations in Aberdeen as well as being put into a coma and placed on life support.
Since coming out of hospital a year ago, he had been on medication including anti-seizure drugs.
He also returned to hospital in January to replace a piece of his skull which had been removed during surgery.
"They didn’t know how he was going to be physically and mentally because of the number of operations, but he made a remarkable recovery," Mr Wallace said.
Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone who is struggling to cope, whoever they are and whatever life has done to them.
Call 116 123 free (call does not appear on your phone bill), e-mail jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org.
The Inverness branch of the Samaritans is located at 67a Tomnahurich Street and can be contacted on 01463 713 456 (local charges apply).
- Mikeysline (available between 7pm on Fridays and 7am on Mondays) by texting 07779 303 303.
- Local GPs
- NHS24 on 111
- Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87
