A grieving sister is “disgusted” that emergency phones which may have saved her brother have been neglected.
Jeanmarie Ferrier has called out Glasgow City Council for failing to look after filthy crisis phones which have been targeted by vandals.
The 55-year-old, who lives in Shawlands, campaigned for the lifelines after losing her beloved brother Thomas Kay who died in 2014.
She hoped they would offer support for vulnerable people in the city, but has been left disappointed to see they have been abandoned by the council.
The phones are dirty and some cord have been cut (Image: Sourced)
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Jeanmarie said: “I am disgusted to see the condition of the phones, it is completely heartbreaking.
“After my brother died I campaigned to get them put up so that anyone could access help quickly.
“We will never know if the phones would have saved my brother, but we do know struggling people are going to be put off using them if they are dirty and broken.
“It is frustrating because leaving them without care could cost lives, they need to be fixed and cleaned.
“The council are letting us down, I want to see them have some compassion and a duty of care. They have neglected the phones."
Jeanmarie Ferrier campaigned for the phones (Image: Newsquest)
Thomas sadly lost his life ten years ago after battling with his mental health following the sudden death of both his parents.
Jeanmarie is now determined to remove the mental health stigma so others don’t have to suffer like her brother.
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She said: “There are so many people in the city and at any point something could trigger someone, but help should be there for them.
“Thomas died on his way to work with his money, cigarettes,and lighter in his pocket.
"It was really sudden, so we can’t rule out if he had a lifeline available that could have changed things.
“Our parents had passed away two years before that due to health complications and he really struggled with that.
“It is so important for us to speak about how we are feeling and take away the stigma, ignoring the emergency phones won’t do that.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “We do everything we can in-line with national guidance to prevent suicide in Glasgow.”
If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, you are not alone.
Here are helpline numbers for anyone seeking help: Samaritans: Call 116 123.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Call 0800 58 58 58.
Childline: Call 0800 1111.
You can also text Shout to 85258 for 24-hour support in a crisis.
East Renfrewshire CMHT 01418007809 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) Crisis team 01412327060
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