Harris, the son of Jane and Dave, was a brother to Katie, Patrick and Robbie. Losing someone you love to suicide is utterly devastating and has changed our lives forever. Despite the terrible pain of this loss we knew from the outset that we wanted to support other young people who face similar difficulties.
Harris was a bright, curious, lively boy in his early years and at Lilliesleaf Primary School in the Scottish Borders he thrived and showed talent in sports – playing tennis for Melrose and rugby for the Selkirk Rhinos (a great tackler). After Ian Lowthian visited the P5 class with his accordion, Harris started playing. He was enthralled and hooked and quickly mastered the pieces – the faster the tune the better. His move to Selkirk High School saw him become quieter but he won academic awards and enjoyed playing his accordion for the school and with the Small Hall Band (a Berwickshire/ Northumberland group).
Harris was an individual, not caring how he looked, with a curiosity about world issues beyond his years, disorganised, always losing things, frustrating at times but with a ready smile. He was ‘Just Harris’. He didn’t have close friends but was involved and loved in the community and known to many. He loved entertaining us at family gatherings with his music and sense of humour.
At 16 years of age Harris moved school as we thought he was unhappy and he wanted to move. Initially content but then unable to deepen friendships, he suffered some bullying and questioned himself and his place in the world. He became acutely mentally unwell. His experience of the mental health service was traumatic and the new diagnosis of autism was not easy for him to receive, understand or accept. He made a recovery but was never the same. He returned to Selkirk High School to finish his education. He enjoyed playing rugby for Selkirk Youth then Second XV teams and would arrive loudly on his red scooter. He tried very hard and wanted to fit in but was increasingly aware of his social difficulties although couldn’t voice this. During the first covid lockdown his mental health deteriorated again but he had no faith or trust in mental health services and could not engage. There was no provision of family support.
Harris Trust is a registered charity that was created in March 2021. After Harris died a JustGiving crowdfunding page was set up by the family. Our experience was that in the Scottish Borders there was a significant lack of knowledge amongst health and education professionals around mental health issues in young people with autism/neurodiversity. There was no structured peer support for young people with mental health/neurodiversity difficulties and no awareness of the potential for better engagement with autism-trained teachers/coaches using activities that interest the young person – for Harris this was music and sport.
The JustGiving page raised nearly £30,000 and the Harris Trust was set up with trustees Jane and Dave Macdonell and Selkirk High School Head Teacher Jamie Bryson. Other representatives from Selkirk High School, Rugby Club and Scottish Rugby Union have joined Trust meetings. The aims of Harris Trust are:
- to raise awareness and provide training around mental health and neurodiversity
- to support the development of mentoring and peer support programmes for young people and promote respect, acceptance and a sense of belonging
- to support the provision of music and sport activities that would enhance the educational and social experience of young people with mental health and/or neurodiverse issues
The Macdonell family are very appreciative of all who have helped to get Harris Trust up and running.
