THE mother of a 23-year-old man who went into the River Foyle in Derry six weeks ago has appealed to anyone suffering mental health problems to reach out for support.
Hester Glenn also called on politicians to "take mental health more seriously" after describing how the massive search effort has encountered other people considering taking their own lives.
Mrs Glenn said she and her family are "not even existing" as they continue the daily searches for Jack, who was last seen entering the water from the Foyle Bridge on Thursday February 2.
A talented sportsman, who had represented Ireland in cricket, he had displayed no signs of mental illness.
Six weeks on, his parents and younger sister and large numbers of volunteers continue to search the Foyle in a bid to recover the young man's remains.
Speaking to The Irish News, Mrs Glenn said she still has no idea why Jack would have gone into the water.
She said her son, who had attended Foyle College before spending four months in Australia, had been making plans for his future including going to university to study a sports degree.
The Strabane woman said she felt like she had "taken a heart attack" when she heard what had happened.
"I just squealed," she said.
"The first four days are just a complete blur."
She said her son "was just a normal young man".
"He was very loveable child. He was very pleasant, well-mannered and always (had) a smile on his face. If he was going to visit you, Jack would have taken his shoes off at the front door.
"He was very very popular through sports and everything".
Mrs Glenn - who works as a carer - pleaded with people suffering with mental health issues to reach out for support.
"I would just advise everyone to go and talk to someone - even if they do feel they do not want to talk to their parents, get help somewhere, a GP, people need to talk more," she said.
"Since I have started this search for Jack. I don’t feel there is enough help out there for young people with mental issues or depression.
"Jack has brought this city together. Politicians need to sit down and take mental health more seriously."
Mrs Glenn revealed that while searching for her son, she and other volunteers have come across other people attempting to take their own lives, including a man who had entered the water but who was pulled into a boat.
On another occasion, she said her cousin "coaxed a young fella down" in the early hours of the morning and later, a member of the search party helped a man in his thirties considering jumping into the river.
Mrs Glenn thanked the huge numbers of volunteers who have helped her and her family through the past six weeks, as the city came together in an outpouring of sympathy for their plight.
Searchers are operating out of a makeshift 'Camp Jacko' near the River Foyle.
People have donated a camper van, a caravan and a generator amongst other things.
However, so far the only trace found of Jack has been his shoe.
"People are searching 24/7," Mrs Glenn said.
"The support we have been getting is unbelievable. Food is coming from every part of the city. It’s the people that's keeping the family going.
"I would never wish it on anybody. My head is everywhere, my body is numb. I just can’t thank people enough".
She added: "Our family is so heartbroken. We are not even existing, We don’t know what is going on in the outside world.
"I’m never going to give up. I'm just going to keep going until I get Jack. I have to keep going".
**Anyone in need of support can contact Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
