Richard Lock has paid tribute to his son, Matthew, who took his own life last year
Richard Lock has paid tribute to his son, Matthew, who took his own life last year
A dad said his life will “never be the same” after his “hero” son took his own life aged 19. Matthew Lock died on September 8, 2023, after a battle with addiction and ADHD.
Matthew was diagnosed with autism when he was 14 and had obsessive and addictive personality traits. His dad said when he was a child he was fascinated with vacuums and at one point had a collection of over 100.
However at the age of 16 Matthew became addicted to alcohol. Unbeknown to his family, addiction is often something people with ADHD suffer from.
Richard Lock, 57, from Maghull, told the ECHO how his son, who was a local councillor in Maghull, had gotten “quite a rep” in his community for fixing things up and helping others. He said: “From a young age he had become fascinated with cleaning – he started collecting vacuum cleaners and began fixing them at the age of 14. He’d even been on ITV This Morning where he was interviewed about his collection.
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“But unbeknown to us his fascination had transpired and we found out he had ADHD. We had taken him to Alder Hey when he was just a child because of his fascination with vacuums, they said it was nothing to worry about. It carried on until he was 13 and we took him back to Alder Hey where they diagnosed him at 14 with autism. However, his underlying diagnosis of ADHD was missed.”
Richard said they took Matthew to be tested for ADHD and he was diagnosed aged 16. He added: “But at this age he had started to drink alcohol, we thought it was an adolescent thing we didn’t realise there was a link between ADHD and addiction at the time. We later learnt the addiction doesn’t always have to be drugs or alcohol, it could be a whole load of things like gambling, excessive shopping, hoarding.
“We didn’t know anything about the link between ADHD and suicide or addiction and it’s what has kept us awake every night for the last 14 months until Matthew took his life, which is why we want to raise awareness.”
Richard told the ECHO how proud he and Matthew’s mum Christine Lock, 57, are of their son. He said how he had gone through school, got his A-levels, and went to university before becoming a local councillor in Maghull. He had also been shortlisted for an award to be county councillor, just two months before he died.
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- Paul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
- The Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
- James’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
In a heart warming tribute to his son, who “loved to make people laugh”, he said: “Our only son, Matthew, at the age of 19 took a catastrophic decision to end his own life in an impulsive act. We’re left devastated and eternally broken-hearted.
“Matthew was loved and well-known by so many people. [He] is our only child, always happy, a smiley baby from the minute he was born. Matthew was caring, thoughtful and sensitive, a wonderful grandson.
“He had a great sense of humour and loved to make us laugh, he was kind and smart. He’d help anyone if he could and often did. Ironically, he helped talk a person suffering a crisis back down to safety one night on his way home. He loved his music, festivals, having his friends around and karaoke, although he couldn’t sing.
“Matthew made people smile, he was great company, a unique character who lit up the room. He was and will always be our hero and his late nan’s hero. We’ll forever love and miss him, words can’t express how lost we are without our son, our lives will never be the same.”
The family have now set out to create awareness of ADHD and its links to addiction and have set up a GoFundMe page to dedicate to their campaign. Richard added: “ADHD has always had the perception of a naughty school boy, but there is so much more to ADHD and a more sinister side to it and the ultimate risk is suicide and this is why we want to raise awareness.”