Draperstown artist Vincent Kennedy reveals personal battle against suicide in book aimed to help others

Vincent Kennedy who works as a cardiac physiologist at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, said his book was inspired by his search to find the causes of his depression.

Titled ‘In The Centre Lies Virtue ‘ the Draperstown man’s first book is the result of extensive research.

He hopes the book can help others break free from the blight of anxiety and poor mental health.

“I have struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts for years but was driven to understand where it came from and why it had affected me,” said Vincent.

“Suicide is such a prevalent issue in so many communities across the country and I wanted to find out what motivates people to take their own lives and why.”

The book discusses four major areas in an individual’s life in a effort to understand the reality of existence; including life, faith, death and happiness.

Vincent also attempts to find a meaning for life, what it means to be human and what leads so many people to end their own lives by suicide.

He added: “Through my own research I feel I have found some fantastic information that I feel can help others to identify and overcome their own barriers and begin a personal journey towards freedom.”

Recently, Vincent has showcased his work as an abstract expressionist artist, in a number of exhibitions at venues including the Burnavon in Cookstown.

The launch of the new book comes as local mental health charity STEPS prepares to welcome the Cycle Against Suicide to Draperstown in June.

In 2014, the Mid Ulster Mail reported from a visit to the STEPS group by the then Health Minister, Jim Wells, who was told that the parish of Ballinascreen had suffered 18 deaths to suicide in the last 10 years.

In The Centre Lies Virtue by Vincent Kennedy is self published and available to purchase from Amazon.co.uk