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Sara Dunn

@sairyd

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Photography page: @sed_photography_86
Gardening page: @jobwelldunngardening

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Last year, I shared a post about my journey with suicidal ideation — something I have lived with since 2023.

It was one of the most vulnerable things I've ever shared.

I wasn't going to post anything this Suicide Prevention Month. In fact, I wrote something and then deleted it.

But this has been on my heart.

The reel starts with a photo of me looking depressed and the words:

"You can always tell when someone is struggling.”

Then come photos of me smiling, laughing and living my life.

Can you?

Because this is one of the things I find hardest about some suicide prevention messaging.

It can unintentionally make people who have lost someone feel that they should have known. That the signs should have been obvious.

But people who are struggling can still smile. They can laugh, go to work, go for walks, go to the gym and post happy photos. They can tell you they're fine.

Sometimes, when someone dies by suicide, people say:

We had no idea.

That doesn't mean nobody cared. It doesn't mean nobody tried.

Sometimes someone is carrying something incredibly heavy, and they become very good at carrying it quietly.

That's why some of the “quick fixes” we see online frustrate me.

“Go for a walk.”
“Exercise.”
“Journal.”
“Get outside.”

Yes, these things can help. But mental health isn't always fixed by doing these things.

Mental health is complex. Recovery isn't linear.

Sometimes people don't need another list of things they *should* be doing. They need permission to say:

“I'm not okay.”

And to know that isn't weakness. It's courage.

And for those who have lost someone to suicide:

You cannot hold yourself responsible for information you didn't have.

You cannot go back and rewrite conversations with the knowledge you have now. You cannot know everything that was happening inside someone else's mind.

Please don't believe that you failed because you didn't see something you couldn't see.

We need to create a world where people can say “I'm struggling” without shame. Where we listen rather than immediately trying to fix. Where asking for help is seen as courage.

Because sometimes the person struggling looks exactly like the person happy in the photographs. by @sairyd

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a month ago

Those who know me well know just how much I love sloths 🦥💚

Thanks to my lovely sister for helping make a dream come true — I finally got to meet a sloth in my favourite country! An experience I’ll never forget and definitely one of the highlights of my life 🥹✨

#SlothEncounter #SlothLove #Sloth #WildlifeExperience #AnimalEncounter taken in Wild Florida by @sairyd

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5 months ago

The most perfect evening celebrating the wedding of beautiful Lisa and Steve. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 taken in South Farm by @sairyd

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6 months ago

Trip to Zakopane with a stop at a little village to try some traditional smoke cheese, ended day with a trip to a thermal spa on way back, which was needed for my legs after all the walking. by @sairyd

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7 months ago

Third time visiting the salt mine and still impressed — turns out an underground world made entirely of salt doesn’t get boring. taken in Wieliczka Salt Mine by @sairyd

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7 months ago

Nice to be back in Krakow for the third time, lots of lovely memories here, beautiful city, and the food was 👌🏻🇵🇱

My feet are still recovering from all the walking.

#kraków #poland #explore taken in Kraków, Poland by @sairyd

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7 months ago

Morning walk with @ania_chapple and Dot. Day 7 walking for the @msatrust. 🧡 by @sairyd

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7 months ago

New Year can be a tough time for many reasons. It doesn’t have to be about achievements or milestones — sometimes the small, unrecognisable things matter most, like simply being here and making it through.

2025 has certainly had its rollercoaster moments, but in between there’s been laughter too.

My biggest highlight has been being around the people who mean so much to me. The cherry on top was seeing one of my closest friends after 10 years, and being able to return to Florida.

Thank you for all your support — it truly means more than you know.

Wishing you a healthy and peaceful 2026.

#2025 #mentalhealthmatters #memories by @sairyd

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10 months ago

A lovely evening catch up with the gang ❤️ by @sairyd

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10 months ago

Festive dogs 🎅🐕

Milly's first Christmas in England 🇬🇧 by @sairyd

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10 months ago

One year ago today we had to let you go. I think about you every day. You were the best. You'll forever be part of our family ❤️

Always so grateful to @everypawsgentlegoodbyes for giving Susie the most gentle dignified goodbye. Cheryl is a true hero in how many people she supports at one of the hardest times. I'll always recommend her. by @sairyd

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10 months ago

Last year was a write off, so making an effort to try and get some festiveness in this year ✨🎄🎅 by @sairyd

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a year ago