Lisa Carol has been grieving and battling the trauma of finding her partner dead at his homeLisa Carol and her partner Richard Scriven, who died in May(Image: Lisa Carol )

A woman has set up a mental health support group in memory of her partner, who took his own life four months ago. Lisa Carol, 33 from Haydock, should be in Cyprus today, enjoying a holiday with the love of her life, Richard Scriven, who she had been in a relationship with for four years.

Instead, she is grieving his loss and battling the trauma of finding her partner dead at his home having taken his own life. Richard, 36, died the day after the couple had been to see Tom Grennan – who Richard loved – at Radio One Big Weekend in Liverpool in May.

Lisa met Richard at work, they were both working for a care company at the time. For a while, Lisa had “no clue” that Richard was attracted to her and she would try and help him with his mental health struggles because she is a mental health first aider.

She said: “He asked me out on a date, we went to Blackpool and I think we just realised we were a perfect match. I always laughed because when we first met I’d been in work for five days straight, I had no makeup on and hadn’t washed my hair. I joked saying, ‘you fancied that?’ He’d always say ‘yeah, you’re beautiful to me’.

“We were together for four years but felt like a life time. He would always say ‘if I lost you, I don’t know what I’d do’.” One of Lisa’s favourite memories with Richard is “winding him up”.

She said: “He used to always say ‘why are you with me, why me?’ And I would tell him it was his smell, he always smelt so good. I loved him for much more than that though.

Lisa Carol Pratt and her partner Richard Scriven, who died in MayRichard Scriven sadly took his own life in May(Image: Lisa Carol)

“The real reasons were because he saw me, he saw who I was as a person and he didn’t judge me, I could tell him about everything. And, I never had to change myself to be with Richard. I could unapologetically be me. There’s so many reasons and so many memories together.”

The love birds were due to jet to New York in November where Lisa says Richard was going to propose. She says she would have of course said yes.

The last four months since Richard died have been “horrendous” for Lisa, she told the ECHO, and after finding herself feeling alone and unsupported she founded a memorial support group in his honour.

The couple had been together for four yearsThe couple had been together for four years(Image: Lisa Carol)

Lisa set up Richard’s Light earlier this month, which is an online support group for people in the local community to get together and remember their loved ones. You can find out more about the group online.

Speaking to the ECHO about why she founded the group, Lisa said: “I wanted to do something to keep his memory alive, with me. After he died I was looking at resources in my area online and there was nothing to help me.

“I realised it can’t be just me who is feeling like this. As human beings were good at hiding how we feel, we put on a smile but when you’re in your own four walls that’s when you break down and that’s exactly what I did for the last 17 weeks – I can’t even drive my car.

“I created Richard’s Light to help others. I look after vulnerable adults as a job and Richard was the same, he was a support worker, he fought his own internal battles but he wanted to support others so it’s a good way to honour him by doing something we both love.

“I’m also scared about people forgetting him as time moves forward, people will learn to handle it and they will start to celebrate just on birthdays and Christmas as it becomes the norm. I don’t want to do that, I want Richard with me all the time and Richard’s Light is a way for me to do that.”

Mental health support

Helplines and support groups

The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website

  • Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
  • CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
  • PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
  • Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
  • PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
  • Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
  • Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
  • Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
  • Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
  • Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
  • Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
  • Paul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
  • The Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
  • James’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/

Following Richard’s death Lisa revealed she had also “grappled” suicidal thoughts. She said: “If it wasn’t for the little bit of strength I have, I would not be here today.”

Lisa is now petitioning to change the way online search engines work. She said: “They should immediately bring up support or how to get help, not give me advice on how to do it. Young children have access to the internet, these people could be getting bullied in school and looking for a way out.” You can support Lisa’s petition here.