‘Pick up the phone’: Man urges public to check on vulnerable people in lockdown after grandfather dies by suicide

‘I never got the chance to speak to him as I thought he would be OK,’ says James Parnaby

(James Parnaby)

A man whose grandfather died by suicide during lockdown is urging people to talk to loved ones in isolation.

James Parnaby said the death of his 82-year-old grandfather, Dennis Ward, highlighted the “hidden effects” the virus was having on mental health.

Following the death, Parnaby is calling on people to “just pick up the phone" to parents, grandparents, friends and anyone else considered "vulnerable" to check on them.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, Parnaby said his grandfather “had never been one to be depressed or suffer with his mental health" and was relatively healthy for an 82-year-old.

“He was a happy go lucky sort of man, the life and soul at family parties, dancing away to rock n roll hits... he loved betting on the horses” he said.

Ward grew up in Coventry but spent the majority of his life in south Birmingham. He lived with his wife of 60 years, Valerie.

He had worked at Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich, a village in the West Midlands, and died at his home in Kings Norton on 25 April, local media reported.

He is survived by his two children Valerie Parnaby and Adam Ward; his grandchildren, Paul, Jenna, and James; and great-granddaughter Scarlett.

“I never got the chance to speak to him as I thought he would be OK and would see him on the other side [of lockdown],” Parnaby added.

“If you are reading this, I ask you all today, to just pick up the phone.”

Parnaby has also set up a fundraising page in honour of Ward. As of Friday morning, over £5,000 has been raised, with all proceeds going to mental health charity Mind.

“This great charity helps people with...mental health issues. The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on our mental health,” a message on the page reads.

“If you could kindly donate anything, whether it’s 5p or £50 it would mean the world to us."

Last month, SANE CEO Marjorie Wallace warned that a mental crisis was “inevitable” during the pandemic and called on health officials to do more to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those living with conditions such depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

On 6 April, the Police Federation said there were “early indications” of a rise in suicides during lockdown.

If you live in the UK or Ireland and need help with your mental health you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.