A ‘hero’ father has taken his own life after suffering from mental health issues amid lockdown.
David McCreadie from Melbourne, Australia, was a loving father-of-four who ended his own life amid the coronavirus pandemic and consequent lockdown.
As the 56-year-old man’s wife explained, David started struggling in June last year after his building business ran into financial troubles.
After the father attempted to take his life, his family helped him recover whereas regular trips to the country and travels to the beach brought a smile back on his face.
Everything changed, however, when strict measures were imposed in response to the pandemic.
According to David’s wife, Felicity, her husband’s mental health once again started degrading after he was forced to ditch his outdoor therapy and stay at home for months.
“It contributed to his mental health, It contributed to his stress and there was no relief,” the widow said in an interview with Daily Mail Australia.
“I have to stand up and be counted for my husband’s name and I am not letting this go. Daniel Andrews [the Premier of Victoria] needs to see [how damaging the lockdown is]. I have a 12-year-old boy whose life has changed forever. I would like to tell them my story. I would like to look them in the eye.”
Speaking of her husband’s past struggles with mental health, Felicity revealed that the 56-year-old managed to recover after indulging in outdoor recreation.
“He recovered to an extent. A big part of his recovery process was walking, exercise and going to spend time in the country, staying on friends’ farms and heading to the beach,” she said.
“He was doing okay. We let go of the money that was lost and we moved on but when lockdown started that was it… my husband changed.”
Despite having financial issues of his own, the father allegedly went on to “donate about $100,000 worth of stuff” to people affected by the bushfire crisis in the country.
As Felicity added, David’s business ran into big troubles prior to his suicide on October 16.
“The real estate company that we rent from has not offered any relief. He was two days late with rent and he was hounded,” she added.
“There was no money. He could only have five contractors on site at a time which meant jobs went very slowly. Coronavirus support for builders was pathetic.”
To make matters worse, the father was constantly being harassed by creditors who threatened with legal action.
After the father’s suicide, Felicity has called for an end of the government’s draconian measures.
“I have decided to cremate his body on October 27, which is our wedding anniversary and I’m going to wait until COVID is over to give him the farewell he deserves,” she concluded.
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