‘DEATH SEEMED
LIKE THE BEST
OPTION’
Have you ever felt like your life had no purpose? Did
ending it all here and now seem like the only judicious
thing to do? This was me. I am Graci Pires, and this is
my story:
T
here were constant
fights at home; My
entire family was at war.
My dad was violent and
emotionally abusive.
This made me hate
him. What pushed me
to the edge was the
disappointment in my
love life. By then, I was
sick and tired of living.
I wanted to die.
something stopped me.
Despite this, death still
seemed like the only
option. I thought life
had no value and the
emptiness within was
so profound, I didn’t care
about anything else.
I drank and smoked
as a way to forget
about my problems.
However, this escape
It wasn’t long before turned into another
the suicidal thoughts prison. I got hooked!
turned into action.
I attempted to kill This was the state
myself at least three in which I came to
times. Each time, the UCKG: hopeless,
12
suicidal and an addict.
I did not believe that
there was any way out
for me but this place
showed me otherwise.
I was heard, supported
and the kindness I was
shown sparked hope in
me. I learnt how to live
again and with time, I
found the power to take
back my life and be
truly happy.
I was able to exchange
weakness for strength;
everything I received
at the UCKG built in
‘I chose life! I used my power
to start over.’
me the power to finally
decide to start over. I
learned that suicide is
never a solution; after
all, how could change
happen if I was not
alive to see it?
I am living proof
that there is life
after suffering.
Today, the Graci
you see is more
than happy to be
alive. I chose life!
uckg.org • 020 7686 6000