This is real as it gets. 

Catherine Devereux was a happily married mum to three daughters. 

Then on May 6 2018 her entire world was shattered. 

Her husband, Russ, committed suicide. 

In this raw episode of PRsonal, Catherine bravely opens up about the harrowing aftermath – from the moment the police arrived to having to tell her children their dad had died. 

Since then, Catherine has launched The Headlight Project – a Teesside charity that helps those bereaved by suicide – and she talks with host Charlotte Nichols about the work being done to help others. 

This is a gut-wrenching episode. 

Timestamps 

00:32 – The date that will be printed on Catherine’s heart forever 

01:16 – The incident that had a ‘massive impact’ on Russ before he died 

02:13 – The moment Catherine heard the news about Russ’ death 

04:23 – Waiting for the police to break the news  

06:08 – Realising she was going to have to tell her daughters their dad had died 

08:26 – ‘We just cried’: Breaking the news to her three girls 

11:45 – Talking about what happened with her children 

15:24   - ‘They are why I have to just keep going’ 

16:03   - ‘Did you ever consider suicide yourself?’ 

19:22 – The ‘physical pain’ she felt in the aftermath 

21:19 – The anger felt in the painful aftermath of Russ’ suicide 

26:06 – Does Catherine blame for the Health and Safety Executive for what happened? 

27:08 – The ‘three pairs of blue eyes’ that keep Russ’ memory alive 

30:26 – ‘I’ve lost my Catholic faith a bit since he died’ 

34:16 – Why Catherine set up the Headlight Project 

37:13 – Teesside’s reputation as Britain’s biggest suicide ‘hotspot’ 

40:01 – ‘There’s no shame – but there is shame in the lack of support’ 

42:26 – The ‘huge misconception’ around talking about death with children 

46:22 – The ‘wonderful’ support that helps keep the charity going 

50:23 – The work Catherine is most proud of 

51:14 – Why life is worth fighting for – even on the darkest days 

52:40 – How Catherine rates herself – from looks to humour 

56:45 – How Harvey & Hugo can help your business unlock the power of podcasting


Headlight Project socials 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therdhp/ 

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/company/therdhp 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRDHP 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRDHP/ 

 

 

PRsonal socials: 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast 

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@prsonal_podcast 

 

Harvey & Hugo’s socials: 

 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr 

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo

PRsonal socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PRsonal_podcast

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/prsonal-podcast

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PRsonalPodcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/prsonal_podcast


Harvey & Hugo’s socials:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/harveyandhugo

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-&-hugo

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HarveyandHugo

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@harveyandhugo