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A kind dad who “wouldn’t hurt a fly” took his own life two years after being violently attacked.
Paul Sullivan was found dead at his home near Skelmersdale on October 31 following a two-year struggle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Paul, known to his friends as Sully, has lived with depression for years and was the victim of a violent, unprovoked attack in 2018.
Falling into a cycle of drug abuse and paranoia, Paul struggled to get over the memory of that attack, with his daughter Becky Sullivan telling LancsLive: “He heard voices and saw things.
“He couldn’t sleep, he had flashbacks and nightmares, he had all these things running through his mind that he kept repeating, it was really bad.
“The drugs would contribute to this, but he was also so afraid of going to sleep that he would take drugs to stay awake.
“He was awake for days at a time.”
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Sully was born on December 2, 1966 in the Pemberton area of Wigan.
Becky describes her father as a kind and intelligent man who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Prior to struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, Sully had a senior job as a project manager at World Pay and was on the verge of working with the company’s US subsidiary.
Becky said: “He would do anything for anyone and he didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone.
“He always took me and my brother Tom to concerts, The Courteeners, The Arctic Monkeys, U2.
“He didn’t have a violent bone in his body, he was the kind of person who didn’t react.”
The 53-year-old has suffered from depression and mental illness for years, but Becky believes she had a hold on the condition.
Telephone help lines and support groups
Below are the phone numbers and support networks that people can 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 how you feel or if you are worried about being heard over the phone, you can email Samaritans at [email protected].
- Childline (0800 1111) operates a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number will not appear on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organization that supports adolescents and young adults who feel suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone with a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students with depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for children and adults affected by bullying.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or send a HOPE message to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Youth Counseling Service – Provides mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, youth and families. tel: 0151707 1025 e-mail: [email protected]
- Paul’s Place – providing free counseling and group sessions to anyone living on Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151226 0696 or email: [email protected]
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The Martin Gallier Project – Offering face-to-face support for suicidal people and their families. Hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151644 0295 e-mail: [email protected]
Becky, 20, said: “She had depression before I was even born.
“But he was watching him, he was taking drugs and didn’t seem to affect him that much.”
In June 2018 Sully was returning to her Highfield home in Wigan. It was about midnight and the father of two was ready to go to bed.
But before he could return home he was attacked by a man who accused Sully of having an affair with his wife.
The violent and unprovoked attack would leave Paul traumatized for the rest of his life.
Becky said: “The floor was soaked in blood.
“I went to see him after he was attacked and sat with him while he talked to the ambulance and the police.
“The boy just hit him and my dad fell to the ground, the boy didn’t stop kicking him. He also had bruises all over his ribs.
“I think the boy would have killed him if he hadn’t stopped, it was so brutal.”
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Sully recovered physically from his injuries but was mentally scarred by what had happened that night.
He said: “He was physically ill from PTSD, he couldn’t work because it affected him so badly.
“He didn’t leave the house for a long time he was so scared, his friends tried to convince him but he always found excuses.”
Things continued to get worse for Sully, who began using cocaine to deal with her problems.
Having previously condemned drug use, Becky believes her father became addicted to the drug which helped him forget the attack.
On October 31, Sully was found dead at his home in Upholland around 2pm, after taking his own life.
Becky said: “I found out after I got home from work, it was the last thing I expected to hear, I couldn’t believe it.
“I knew he was struggling, but I never expected it. I never got to talk to him before.
“I hope other people with PTSD can talk, I don’t want other people to keep it to themselves because that’s what my dad did.”
Becky is currently raising money for the mental health charity MIND in the memory of her father.
The 53-year-old leaves behind his daughter and 15-year-old son Tom.
Any funds are welcomed by Becky and her family and can be donated on her GoFundMe page.
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