My 14-year-old daughter killed herself after replying to one final sick message from cruel online bullies
A MUM has spoken out about the final sick message her teenage daughter received from bullies before she took her own life.
Megan Evans was just 14-years-old when she died in 2017 after being subjected to a vile campaign of online bullying.
Her heartbroken mum Nicola Harteveld from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, has been vocal about the effect words can have, speaking out against cruel cyber bullies.
Five years on from Megan's death, her mum told WalesOnline: "I can see things blindingly obvious now that I didn't have a clue back then."
She explained her daughter grappled when her phone was flooded with "cruel, evil words" nightly.
She said her harassers "got inside" Megan's head, sending one sick final message the night she died.
The message read: "Why don't you hang yourself?"
The teenager had replied with just one word: "OK."
Nicola said: "I think it was the final message that did tip the scales."
Brave Nicola has been outspoken since her daughter's death, appearing on This Morning just days after Megan died, where she told Holly and Phil about the cruel last message.
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She also told the telly favourites: "Words can kill."
The mum explained how the festive period is particularly difficult for her, with Megan's birthday in November, followed by Christmas without her daughter, and then the anniversary of the teenager's death in January.
She described grappling with the period of grief as "gut wrenching".
And the mum added that at the time, she didn't realise her daughter was struggling, urging parents to check in with their kids and take them seriously if they say they are struggling.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Movember, www.uk.movember.com
Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
She said: "I was completely naïve about it, that I always thought that somebody with a mental health problem, you could visibly see it.
"My bright bubbly Meg, if she came to me and said she had an issue, I'd say: 'Meg get a grip, don't be so daft, just deal with it.'
"That's what I would've probably said and I can openly say that, which is why I want to speak out.
"I was so wrong, mental health does not look like how I thought it did."
The mum explained that looking back, she can identify the signs – Megan was sleeping a lot in the day and wouldn't let anyone else near their phone.
The mum also warned that if a child is shut up in their room, it doesn't necessarily mean they are lonely.
But she urged parents to check in and understand how social media can be used to chat with friends – but also to bully, intimidate and cause fear.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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