Evie’s Story: Speaking Up for Mental Health
At South Farnham Educational Trust, we celebrate students who make a difference. Sixteen-year-old Evie Roodhouse from Brighton Hill Community School is one such student.
Evie and her younger sister Ada lost their father to suicide in 2018. For years, Evie kept this private, especially as she noticed classmates joking about suicide or using words like “depressed” without understanding their true meaning. “People don’t realise how much it can hurt,” Evie says.
Recently, Evie decided to share her story in a school assembly, supported by Ada and their mum, Caroline. She spoke honestly about her father’s death and the impact of careless language around mental health. “Communication is the best way around the stigma,” Evie told her peers, encouraging them to talk openly and seek help when needed.
Evie’s courage reminds us all that we are stronger than our struggles and that kindness and understanding matter. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to your school’s pastoral team or organisations like Childline (0800 1111) and the Samaritans (116 123).
