Depressed man tells how he turned away from committing suicide
EXCLUSIVE
by Anna Edwards
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SEEK HELP: Franck Van Denberghe says other feeling as low as he was should not give up
anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk
As he stood on the footbridge over South Croydon railway station on Tuesday afternoon, Franck Van Denberghe contemplated ending it all.
The 38-year-old had lost his job as a bus driver last August because he had started to lose his sight after a motorcycle accident.
His debts spiralled out of control and – facing the prospect of losing his home within a fortnight because he could not afford the rent – suicidal thoughts raced through his mind.
Mr Van Denberghe, from Birdhurst Road, South Croydon, had put on his best suit and walked to the station to jump to his death.
Thankfully the thought of the pain his suicide would cause his girlfriend was enough to convince him to walk away.
And he now wants to tell others that even if they feel as low as he did they should not give up.
Speaking to the Advertiser shortly after his aborted suicide bid, he told how his problems have left him depressed and feeling helpless.
"I've become swamped in debt and I feel like a grain of sand that's been crushed," he said.
"I didn't feel there was any way out.
"On the way there I was crying, and I felt cowardly and outraged that it had come to this."
Mr Van Denberghe says he cannot find a job and has been unable to get Jobseeker's Allowance as he claims the Jobcentre Plus he visited mislaid his forms.
His life savings of £7,000 have been spent trying to pay the bills, and he is now £2,000 in debt and facing eviction from his home.
He said: "I want to work, I don't want to beg off the state, I've been working for years.
"But now I've lost everything, I can't even afford to feed myself, I feel so low."
Mr Van Denberghe explained how thinking about his girlfriend gave him the strength to walk away.
He explained: "I couldn't bear to do that to her, I thought of the pain she would feel and I love her too much.
"I walked back, but I still don't know what I am going to do.
"I feel helpless, but I know that so many others are in my situation and out of work because of the recession.
"So I want them to know that they should not give up, that they should seek help and fight."
The Department for Work and Pensions, which oversees the Jobcentre Plus where Mr Van Denberghe submitted his forms, declined to comment on his situation when approached by the Advertiser.
15 Comments
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by Mark, Croydon
Saturday, January 23 2010, 11:39PM
“One thing's fore sure, I won't be voting for Fruitbat or the ilk!!!!!”
by Fruitbat, South Norwood
Friday, January 22 2010, 10:50PM
“Yeah Mark.......but if you have ever voted Labour you have got what you deserve!!!!!”
by Mark, Croydon
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 11:56PM
“It is appropriate that that the Advertiser run this news Item, it just scrapes the surface of what is actually going on in the remains of this country.
There are many of us unemployed people out there who have been raped by the state of everything (and our parents ¿ nursing home fees!!!) we have worked for - some of us 30 years, many of us much more; did any of the commentators experience this!
Your attitude will be changed somewhat considerably........when you do!
Speaking as yet another ex "property owning democrat" who worked in financial services for 30 years I¿m delighted to reveal the DWP policies or procedures are completely pointless - they have not got a clue how to get people in to employment, the government has no idea of what is going on particularly when employment statistics are announced as a "Surprise".
The I¿ve got a job, pull up the ladder mentality really is not productive, cooperative or helpful.
The man is on his knees ¿ as am I.
Having sold my car to pay a mortgage, to having to sell my home to be told by the DWP I have equity; spend wisely, to pay someone else¿s pay to rent mortgage and run out of equity doing so, Yes I too have considered suicide.
With no prospects of a job or a future my question is how, and how quickly can this be acchieved?”
by Mr.Angry, The Estate.
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 4:50PM
“Sounds to me DWP needs sorting big time.”
by Tim, Croydon
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 2:11PM
“I know of other people who have been messed around by the Job Centre and spent more money with phone calls/travelling than they would actually get in benifits. All these people want to do is work and to survive until they can find a job and the government is throwing the money at the people who don't want to work.
Glad he didn't go ahead with it. He's an example to others.”
by anon, anon
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 12:43AM
“oops i even got your name wrong...”
by Anon, Anon
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 12:42AM
“I agree there RGB. I didnt realise it was so soon, oops i should of read it properly. Maybe in that case, this article should be removed, and placed at a later date. Just in case some people do comment horribly. Cos that wouldnt be right.”
by RPB, Coulsdon
Wednesday, January 20 2010, 12:11AM
“I'm very sympathetic to the guy, but this IS rather a strange news item.
Anyway, if Mr Van Denberghe was feeling suicidal earlier this afternoon, as appears, the chances are that he is still in a very fragile emotional state. I'd question how responsible of the Advertiser it is to run this story.
I'd really urge Mr Van Denberghe to contact The Samaritans, who are available to listen, 24/7.”
by Anon, Croydon
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 11:58PM
“Think about it CroyBob. The story isn't that he didn't kill himself, it's that he felt driven to it in the first place. He's had the courage to speak about it and try to highlight some issues. That seems pretty brave to me.”
by Anon, Anon
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 11:13PM
“croybob
whens the last you read a story like this? you dont normally see the otherside to people like this man, the news could of been reporting his death, and thank goodness his alive. do you lot thrive on bad storys all the time then.”