Warning: This post is about teen suicide, and may be distressing for some readers.
A heartbroken mother in the UK says she had “no idea” her daughter was struggling before the 16-year-old girl took her own life in early June.
The mother-of-three is now doing what she can to help other teens who might be in need.
Maisie Cousin-Stirk, 16, from Misterton, Nottinghamshire, died by suicide on June 19 shortly after sitting her General Certificate of Secondary Education exams.
She had decided not to attend the school leavers’ assembly that day and her mother, Helen Cousin, 46, became concerned when Maisie wasn’t answering her phone.
“I never thought she would do this. We were very close and she was always by my side. I really thought she could talk to me about anything,” Helen told Daily Mail.
Though no suicide note was left, Maisie’s sister, 27-year-old Amy Cousin, found a handwritten sign in the teen’s bedroom shortly after her death. The words read ‘I’m fine’, but when turned upside down they transformed into ‘help me’.
Helen is hoping to “help other teenagers speak to someone before it’s too late” and has turned Maisie’s ‘help me’ design into badges for charity.
“Maisie was a fantastic daughter. She was doing well at school. She didn’t have loads of friends, but I think she wanted it that way and she had a few very close friends,” Helen said.
