Alice shares her story of heartbreak which led to the creation of R;pple

Posted Tue 12th Mar 2024 at 11:00
by Alice Hendy MBE

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Content Warning – this post discusses suicide

Alice Hendy MBE lost her only sibling, her brother Josh to suicide at 21 years old. Josh’s story had been marked by a long and tough battle with Tourette syndrome and depression. 

After Josh’s death, Alice found that he had been researching over the internet techniques to take his own life – and he was not alone. Globally, an alarming 1.2 million online searches linked to suicide occur each month.   

To ensure more help and support is given to individuals searching for harmful content online, Alice set up R;pple. R;pple is a digital crisis intervention tool that can help save lives by presenting a visual prompt when a person searches for keywords or phrases relating to self-harm or suicide and signposting to support they can access immediately and in the longer term.  

R;pple currently has over 1.8 million active users and has intercepted more than 32,000 harmful searches, potentially saving countless lives to suicide. 

Alice Hendy MBE on Josh's experience with Tourette's 

Losing a loved one to suicide is a deeply profound and heartbreaking experience that leaves a lasting impact on those left behind. My brother, Josh, bravely navigated life with Tourette's, a deeply misunderstood condition that presented unique challenges and often made attending school a difficult and daunting task for him. 

Josh's experience with Tourette's was a hard one. He faced daily complexities of living with a neurological disorder that was widely misjudged and took a long period of time to diagnose. Despite his challenges, Josh was a vibrant and spirited individual who brought joy and laughter to everyone who came into contact with him. There was much more to Josh than his condition.   

As his sibling, I witnessed firsthand the toll that Tourette's took on Josh, both physically and emotionally. I saw the frustration and the moments of despair that he grappled with, but I also saw his unwavering determination to persevere and thrive in the face of adversity.  

Tragically, Josh's battle with his inner demons became too much for him to bear, and he made the devastating decision to take his own life in November 2020. Life for my parents and I has not been the same since that tragic day.  

As I reflect on Josh's life and the impact of his death, I am acutely aware of the need for open and honest conversations about mental health, the stigmatization of neurological disorders and the link between the two. Josh's struggle with Tourette's and the isolation he often felt serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and support for those facing similar challenges. 

In the wake of losing my brother, I am committed to honouring Josh's memory by advocating for mental health awareness and working to destigmatize neurological disorders, including Tourette’s. I am determined to carry on his legacy by championing the importance of compassion, understanding, and support for those who are struggling with their mental health.  

If you are struggling with your mental health and are UK based: Samaritans: Call 116 123 - Shout: Text 85258

R;pple is an innovative online interceptive tool designed to ensure more help and support is provided to individuals conducting searches related to self-harm or suicide. Our focus is on proactive intervention, bridging the gap between individuals in crisis and the help they require.

By installing R;pple on your device, or supporting our mission, you become a part of a movement dedicated to saving lives and promoting a brighter, better-informed conversation around mental health.

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