Mum 'never thought' daughter would take own life

A mother who lost her daughter to suicide is urging others to question warning signs to prevent another family going through what she has.

Tracey Roberts' daughter, 26-year-old Jade Roberts took her own life in April 2021, leaving behind her two young sons.

"Jade was the most caring person you'd ever meet, she was considerate, beautiful, she constantly worried about other people and their problems," Tracey said.

"I never thought for one minute Jade was going to take her own life."

Before she died, Jade, who had struggled with anxiety and depression for years, told her mother that she did not want to "be here anymore".

However, Tracey said she never thought Jade was suicidal, but if she had the knowledge she has now, she would have acted differently in response to her comments.

She said she believed questioning what Jade said could have saved her daughter's life.

"I don't want another family going through the pain of losing someone to suicide." Tracey said.

Since Jade's death, Tracey has set up a foundation, the Jade L Roberts Project which supports men and women across Merseyside who are in crisis.

Tracey trained as a psychotherapist after Jade died and now delivers suicide prevention training as part of the project.

She said she cannot keep running the service if she does not get the funding she needs from the Reaching Communities England Fund.

"I know I can't save the world but when people come in here, every single client leaves with hope," Tracey added.

"I can't close my doors due to funding; we are supporting so many people".

Service user, Cathy, said without the Jade L Roberts Project she would not be here.

"I can't say enough about the Jade Roberts Project, I owe them my life because they saved mine twice.

"There is hope and I am proof of that."

Tracey said the Jade L Roberts Project, which relies on funding from the National Lottery and public donations, has completed 708 suicide interventions - a direct effort to prevent a person from attempting suicide - over a two year period.

Additional reporting by Davina Ramos

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