A MOTHER whose partner took his own life just days after Christmas has launched a "campaign of kindness" to protect others over the festive season. Karen McKeown, from Wishaw, has urged Scots to look out for their loved ones over the festive period due to the issues accessing mental health services and the mental difficulties that the period can bring.
The mother-of-two has been fighting to get justice for her partner Luke Henderson since his death on December 29, 2017, after he repeatedly requested help from the NHS but was turned away several times.
As highlighted by the Herald on Sunday, Ms McKeown visited eight medical facilities and spoke to almost a dozen members of staff in the week before her partner's death in a desperate attempt to get help for him.
Despite her efforts, doctors told her that her partner was not suicidal, had no apparent mental health difficulties and that he would not be able to receive any medication to help him.
Prior to contacting health services, Mr Henderson had been having delusions and had been awake for days on end, frequently leaving the house and returning hours later, covered in sweat and unable to articulate where he had been or what he was thinking.
Medics eventually referred Mr Henderson to addiction services, where the couple were told to fill in a form and then sent away.
He took his own life in the home that he shared with Ms McKeown and their two children just four days after Christmas.
Ms McKeown said: "Christmas time is really difficult for people who have mental health problems, and it can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones too. While everyone is going about their business, trying to get into the festive spirit and have a nice time, it can make others feel even worse."
Ms Mc
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