Visual Impairment and Mental Health

Available for over a year

In August 2017, visually impaired woman, Nina Davis, took her own life after several months of battling depression. Nina became visually impaired at an early age, and lost her sight at the age of 17 while she was studying at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. At that time, Nina seemed to cope well and adapted to her new set of circumstances. A few years later, Nina took a degree in social work but wasn't able to find a job in her chosen field. She also wanted to have a long-term partner and start a family. In July 2016, Nina lost her first guide dog, which she found very difficult, and later that year an eighteen-month long relationship broke down. Nina began to feel depressed and started to withdraw from her friends and activities. Her independence and confidence suffered. Nina linked her depression and the difficulties she was facing directly to her visual impairment. Peter White speaks to Nina's Mother Tracy, and her good friend Diane Fonseka, about what more could have been done to support and help Nina with her depression. Amanda Hawkins, manager of the RNIB's Counselling Service, tells us that a closer connection needs to be made between vision loss and mental health. Presenter: Peter White Reporter: Lee Kumutat Producer: Lee Kumutat & Georgina Hewes.