What brought a young Geordie travel agent to the point where he felt he had no other option but to drive to a remote beauty spot and attempt to take his own life? It was more by accident than design that he survived, and in the aftermath, he curled himself up in a ball in the dirt and cried for hours. It was weeks before he could tell his partner and his parents what he had tried to do.
Agent calls for greater suicide prevention support at work after own emotional journey
In depth
Katherine Masters
1 August 2025
*Warning, content contains references to suicide*
In 2023, Michael Gillies hit rock bottom – burnt out by losing his travel business, heavily in debt, he did the unthinkable when he felt he had nowhere else to turn. Now he’s recovered, he’s determined to make sure others who need it can access the right support
Michael's recovery has been a combination of therapy, time outdoors, support and rest
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