Picture yourself as a young girl navigating the painful realities of a parental split, a mother's severe health crisis, and the turmoil of adolescence all at once. Now, imagine sharing this deeply personal journey with the world in hopes of shedding light on the urgent need for improved mental health resources. That's exactly what our guest, Lauren, does in this revealing and heartrending conversation. Lauren takes us through her tumultuous childhood in Dublin, marked by her parents' separation and her mother's health decline, leading to the difficult transition into her aunt's home. From family crisis to emotional support, in the second part of our conversation, Lauren doesn't shy away from the painful topic of living with an alcoholic parent. She opens up about her father's battle with liver failure and alcoholism, as well as the tragic suicide of her sister Danielle, who wrestled with depression and self-harm. Despite these unbearable losses, we also touch on how an unexpected pregnancy gave Lauren's family a glimmer of hope during an otherwise dark time.  In the final segment, we broaden our discussion to societal implications of these personal tragedies. We delve into the stark reality of suicide among young individuals in Ireland and Lauren's remarkable efforts to raise awareness about mental health. Lauren shares her inspiring journey of creating a documentary about mental health in Ireland, following the tragic passing of her sister. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the human resilience, the power of sharing your story, and the urgent need for mental health resources, all brought to life through Lauren's brave and candid sharing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.