A GRIEF-STRICKEN mum has revealed the last photo her daughter sent her before passing away at the age of 27.
Dervla Curran tragically took her own life on August 25, after struggling with her mental health.
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Weeks earlier, she’d attended an Oasis gig – sending her mum Nina a selfie of her grinning and giving a thumbs up.
This is the last photo Dervla ever sent her, Nina said.
The 27-year-old from Hull lived in Leeds for three years before her death.
She “was a lot more popular than she realised”, Nina said.
Read more on mental health
Dervla worked as a sustainability consultant and was nominated by colleagues for Leeds and West Yorkshire‘s Top 30 Under 30s for all her achievements.
She ended up becoming one of the winners, which she found out only months before she passed away.
Grief-stricken Nina initially wanted to keep the circumstances of her only child’s death private.
But she ultimately decided to be open about Dervla’s mental health struggles after various suicide prevention charities reached out to her.
Speaking to Yorkshire Live, Nina spoke out against the “stigma” surrounding mental health, saying: “I was initially keeping it to myself that she had taken her own life.
“I haven’t had the coroner’s report but it is very much believed that’s what she did.
“Dervla had quite a few weeks where she was struggling. I was struggling to cope with the situation, to be honest.
“I really wish that I knew there were more people out there I could have reached out to, to help me support her more.
“I think there is so much of a stigma linked to mental health and it can have an impact on how people then manage to carry on with life.”
Dervla was a keen swimmer growing up, becoming the national champion in the 400m and 800m freestyle in 2012 while swimming for the Kingston Upon Hull Swimming Club at the age of 14.
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She was also a runner and completed the Leeds Half Marathon in April.
Nina held a celebration of life for Dervla on what would have been her 28th birthday, which was attended by over a hundred people.
“She was a lot more popular and well liked than she realised,” Nina said.
“Family and friends from everywhere, some came down from as far as Edinburgh and London.
“It was lovely meeting all of her friends which helped.”
Friends, family and loved ones took to social media to share tributes for Dervla too.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
Dervla’s aunt Ciara Curran wrote in a Facebook post: “She was the life and soul of our family and didn’t realise how much we loved her.
“Hug the women in your life and tell them they’re loved.”
She added: “Nobody should ever see their child die before them. This pain is unbearable as an auntie for myself it’s so hard.
“So wish you could just wake up from this Dervla so you could just see how many people loved you especially your mum. Sending love to my sister.”
Dervla’s uncle Kev Curran said: “The world has lost a little legend, the lighter of rooms and the kindest soul of beauty. I honestly cannot believe you are gone. We will celebrate you and honour your life.
“If only you knew how many lives you touched and how fond others where of you. You are so loved I just wish you would have known how much you were truly loved.
“We miss you dearly, my beautiful-hearted niece and my sisters best friend and daughter.
“Go and tell the people you care about that you love them as much as you can all the time.”
Leeds & West Yorkshire Top 30 Under 30s took to Instagram to post: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to share the news of the passing of our Class of 2025 member, Dervla Curran.
“‘Derv’ was everything a Top 30 winner should be. Bright, articulate, ambitious, intelligent, full of energy, full of fun…the list could go on. We are devastated.
“Our thoughts are with her family, her friends, and her colleagues at C3 Group. She will be missed by us all.”
Depression… the signs to look for and what to do
Depression can manifest in many ways.
We all feel a bit low from time to time.
But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through.
They may also struggle to about daily life.
Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience:
How you might feel
- Down, upset or tearful
- Restless, agitated or irritable
- Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
- Empty and numb
- Isolated and unable to relate to other people
- Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
- Angry or frustrated over minor things
- A sense of unreality
- No self-confidence or self-esteem
- Hopeless and despairing
- Feeling tired all the time
How you might act
- Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
- Self-harming or suicidal behaviour
- Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
- Losing interest in sex
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
- Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
- Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
- No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight
- Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
- Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
