Simon’s Repeated Crises

This Is Going to Hurt

This flow follows Simon’s suicidal distress, Kay’s improvised support, and the limits of a friendship being asked to function as crisis care.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Distressing Post A Distressing Post from "This Is Going to Hurt". A Distressing Post A message at night During a quiet night shift, Adam Kay sees Simon post a farewell message online.

A Distressing Post from "This Is Going to Hurt". A Distressing Post A message at night During a quiet night shift, Adam Kay sees Simon post a farewell message online.

A Distressing Post A message at night During a quiet night shift, Adam Kay sees Simon post a farewell message online. Kay suspects he may be the only person seeing it at that hour. Immediate contact He sends Simon a private message, offers his phone number, and identifies himself as a doctor. Their relationship shifts from distant acquaintance toward a serious, ongoing responsibility.

The First Long Call The First Long Call from "This Is Going to Hurt". The First Long Call Listening without training Simon calls, drunk and crying after a breakup.

The First Long Call from "This Is Going to Hurt". The First Long Call Listening without training Simon calls, drunk and crying after a breakup.

The First Long Call Listening without training Simon calls, drunk and crying after a breakup. Kay admits he has little relevant expertise, but Simon’s trust makes staying present more useful than pretending to have a complete answer. A safer next step After a long conversation, Simon agrees to go to his mother’s home and see his GP. Kay ends the call feeling he may have made a meaningful difference beyond his hospital duties.

An Informal Helpline An Informal Helpline from "This Is Going to Hurt". An Informal Helpline Calls over months Kay has become Simon’s mental-health helpline, encouraging him to keep seeing his GP.

An Informal Helpline from "This Is Going to Hurt". An Informal Helpline Calls over months Kay has become Simon’s mental-health helpline, encouraging him to keep seeing his GP.

An Informal Helpline Calls over months Kay has become Simon’s mental-health helpline, encouraging him to keep seeing his GP. The arrangement gives Simon someone to contact, but leaves Kay anxious about the next call. Care without safeguards Kay worries that professional support would be more appropriate and searches online for advice about suicidal feelings. His loyalty helps, yet the lack of boundaries makes him fear that a missed call could have fatal consequences.

The Phone Was Sat On The Phone Was Sat On from "This Is Going to Hurt". The Phone Was Sat On A frightening return After a long labour-ward day, Kay finds seven missed calls and several voicemails from Simon.

The Phone Was Sat On from "This Is Going to Hurt". The Phone Was Sat On A frightening return After a long labour-ward day, Kay finds seven missed calls and several voicemails from Simon.

The Phone Was Sat On A frightening return After a long labour-ward day, Kay finds seven missed calls and several voicemails from Simon. He fears that the message may already be too late. Relief with resentment Simon has simply sat on his phone. The anticlimax brings relief, but the episode shows how deeply Kay’s own wellbeing has become tied to Simon’s unpredictable contact.

A Suicide Attempt A Suicide Attempt from "This Is Going to Hurt". A Suicide Attempt Hospital and aftermath Simon tells Kay he cut his wrists after a fight with his girlfriend and has since returned home.

A Suicide Attempt from "This Is Going to Hurt". A Suicide Attempt Hospital and aftermath Simon tells Kay he cut his wrists after a fight with his girlfriend and has since returned home.

A Suicide Attempt Hospital and aftermath Simon tells Kay he cut his wrists after a fight with his girlfriend and has since returned home. He asks whether Kay is angry with him. Reframing progress Kay feels anger that Simon did not call, then guilt about the anger. He recognizes that recovery is not a simple cure and that surviving another crisis can still represent progress.

3 April 2006

Early April 2006

October 2006

2 October 2007

8 February 2009