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Evie likes scary movies, musicals and Taylor Swift – but there is something that sets her apart.

The 16-year-old hates the way other children at school casually joke about suicide.

“People saying things like ‘I’m going to kill myself if I have to sit another maths test’, you’d be surprised how often people say things like that,” Evie Roodhouse tells me.

“People don’t understand the seriousness, saying they are ‘depressed’ as if it’s a positive thing. I think it’s become even a trend that some people think is cool or funny.”

Evie and younger sister Ada lost their father in 2018, and what they rarely tell anyone is that was suicide. However, Evie’s approach to this deeply personal subject is about to change. She has decided to give a school assembly on the subject.

Evie, Ada and their dad
Image:
Evie, Ada and their dad

Eight-year-old sister Ada supports Evie’s decision and has experienced her own frustrations: “She [Evie] gets people joking about it,” says Ada, “In my school I just get people, like, complaining about their parents being gone for a week, say on holiday, especially their dad. ‘My dad’s going to this place for a week, and I won’t get to see him.’ ‘Oh he’s not here on Father’s Day.’ Or, ‘he’ll be away for a whole month, that’s almost as much as you.’ – It’s not. It’s really not.”

It’s entirely understandable that, up until now, Evie has been extremely private around the cause of her father’s death. Her presentation on the subject for a room of her peers at Brighton Hill Community School in Basingstoke, would surely be one of the most courageous school assemblies ever given.

The night before, I met up with Evie along with Mother Caroline and sister Ada. “This is the first time I’ve openly shared my own personal experience, my story so that’s where the nerves are coming in,” Evie says as we get on to the subject of her presentation.

Evie speaks to Sky's Jason Farrell
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Evie speaks to Sky’s Jason Farrell

Her previous experience of confiding in friends is that their response varies between asking invasive questions, wanting details that Evie doesn’t want to share, or they feel awkward and change the subject. What Evie wants is for people to be able to talk about the subject and understand how to talk about it, especially if they themselves are struggling.

“With mental health we know that opening up and talking about it is the best thing you can do,” she says. “I think we understand ourselves better if we talk about our mental health. Communication is the best way around the stigma.”

However, this conversation around Evie’s home dining table is going to take us to some dark places, and it occurs to me how difficult it must have been for Caroline to explain what happened, to her young children. Did she have a choice? Could she have invented some other form of death to protect them from the truth?

Caroline explains her decision to tell them. “I had no idea Steve was going to take his own life. On the day I found out, luckily a friend of mine contacted an amazing charity called Winston’s Wish and they gave me some important advice, and that was honesty.

“However, uncomfortable that was, however brutal that was at the time. I’m grateful for that advice – because it’s meant that we’ve always had trust between us.”

Ada and mum Caroline
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Ada and mum Caroline

Suicide rates in the UK have remained roughly the same for the last two decades, although the 7,055 deaths recorded in 2023 was the highest rate since 1999.

Men are three times more likely to take their own lives, and with Evie and Ada’s father there was no warning and no note to explain why.

Caroline says loss by suicide is “grief with a microphone”. One of the hardest things for her to manage has been her feeling of abandonment.

“I wanted to talk to Steve, and he’s the person responsible for not being here. Trying to get your head round the fact that, yes, they took their own life, but they weren’t in a rational state at that point in time, but then you’re feeling angry at the same time. It’s tiring. It’s exhausting.”

Eight-year-old Ada picks up: “You don’t blame them for being sad – but you’re also angry that they are not here.”

“…And that they didn’t tell you that they were struggling,” adds Caroline.

“They act all happy and fine. It’s quite unusual,” says Ada.

evie

“It doesn’t make sense, does it?” offers Caroline. It is just a glimpse into the impossible conversations, the heartbreak and tears this family has endured.

Photographs of Steve with his children tell of a loving husband and father, hugging his children close, taking pride in his girls and valuing his precious time with them.

Evie tries to explain her own feelings on this, “Rather than someone being taken away from you – that person’s chosen to take themselves away from you.”

“They don’t want to be with you,” says Ada.

Evie picks up: “There’s sadness that they must have been struggling – but you made that decision. You must have thought whatever you had going on, was a bigger deal than me needing a father in my life, and that’s been a big thing for me.”

But Caroline has a consoling thought – a moment she says that changed everything. “It wasn’t that long ago maybe last year I was asked a question that completely knocked me off my feet – and took away most of my anger. I was asked by somebody – ‘What do you think Steve would say if he could come back and speak to you, right now.'”

“And my response to that, knowing what an amazing person he was, is that he would say ‘sorry’ and he didn’t want to cause us any pain. And in that moment imagining him saying ‘sorry’ – took away all my anger.”

Then she adds, “The problem is that replaces the anger with sadness.”

Evie
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Evie hates when other pupils joke about suicide

There is a deep chasm in the room. They will never know why. There are no answers. No clues and no way to change that. The profound complexity of emotions is something anyone would struggle with, yet both children Evie have found ways of coping.

“You have the first couple of years of feeling – ‘this is going to be my life now this is how I’m going to feel…’ says Evie. Her emotions break through, she pauses to compose herself then determinedly finishes her point. “…and I think being able to move past that and understand that you are not defined by that loss – and you are more than the person who took themselves away from you – and you are stronger.”

The next day as the assembly loomed Evie emitted quiet confidence. Mum Caroline came to watch and said she felt protective but at the same time “unbelievably proud”.

Evie gives her presentation at assembly
Image:
Evie gives her presentation at assembly

What then happened was an extraordinary 20 minutes. Around 80 children watched the presentation, which included a thought-provoking animated film that Evie helped to create. She told the room how she lost her father to suicide in 2018 when she was nine years old and warned, “When you hear someone joking about something that has completely turned your world around it can be so hurtful.”

She also had sage advice on where teenagers can get help themselves, listing school provision and organisations outside of school such as Childline and the Samaritans.

Research recently published by the Mental Health Foundation found a third of young people accessed self-harm content online and the theme this year’s Mental Health Awareness week was community. Evie’s presentation couldn’t have been more appropriate.

She told her peers: “Unfortunately, in my experience the people who don’t talk about it, the people who keep their emotions down and don’t want to speak about those feelings are the people who we lose thorough suicide.”

Headmaster of Brighton Hill Community School, Chris Edwards
Image:
Headmaster of Brighton Hill Community School, Chris Edwards

Caroline was right to be proud and so too was headmaster of Brighton Hill Community School, Chris Edwards. He said afterwards: “I bang on about this quite a lot – the younger generation – and the press that they get does not match the depiction that I see day in day out.

“They are phenomenal – and the assembly we’ve seen today which Evie ran was one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in my career. Not just because she was able to tackle a subject that’s very difficult to her, but to do it to her peers is doubly difficult. And I was also proud of the way the children responded.”

It is rare this subject is talked about, and it must be done sensitively. Evie gave a masterclass in how to do it.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

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Two killed in stabbing at business premises in London

Two men have died after a stabbing in central London.

Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark, at 1pm on Monday, where they found four people had been stabbed.

A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. These included a 27-year-old man who has since died.

A third man, who is in his thirties, remains in hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Another man in his thirties, who has been detained in connection with the incident, remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident.

“At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”

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Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at ‘very special’ Downing Street reception

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Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at 'very special' Downing Street reception

The red carpet was rolled out at No 10 on Monday evening as the Lionesses attended a reception to celebrate their Euro 2025 victory.

The England squad went straight to Downing Street after touching down at Southend Airport in Essex less than 24 hours after they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.

Led by captain Leah Williamson, who proudly clutched the trophy, the side posed for pictures outside No 10 before being greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

England women's football team pose for a photo in Downing Street, London, as they attend a reception at No 10, Pic: PA
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The England squad outside No 10. Pic: PA

England's team captain Leah Williamson carries the trophy when leaving a special reception, to celebrate their victory in the Women's Euro 2025 final, at Downing Street in London, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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Leah Williamson carries the trophy. Pic: AP

Speaking to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag after the 40-minute reception, England manager Sarina Wiegman described the celebration as “very, very special”.

“To be able to go inside and also be in the garden there, [was] really nice,” she said. “They had put up pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros… it was very, very special.”

Some people on social media have called for the England boss – who is from the Netherlands – to get an honorary damehood, but Wiegman told Ashna Hurynag that she “hasn’t thought about that”.

“I feel so much respect from England and from the Royal Family too, I think that’s the most important thing, feeling valued,” she said.

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Weigman also joined some of the players to videocall Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland with Donald Trump.

England attend Downing Street reception. Pic: Reuters
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England manager Sarina Wiegman and some of the players on a video call with Sir Keir Starmer. Pic: Reuters

England manager Sarina Wiegman speaks at a reception at No 10 Downing Street, London. Pic: Richard Pohle/The Times/PA Wire
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Pic: PA

Angela Rayner reacts during a reception to celebrate England's victory in the Women's EURO 2025, at Downing Street in London. Reuters
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Angela Rayner congratulates some of the players. Pic: Reuters

In a speech at the reception, the manager quipped: “I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks.”

“We made it through and that’s why we’re here now,” she continued.

“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”

As the Lionesses left Downing Street, some stopped to try and meet another famous feline – Larry the Cat.

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Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson with the trophy as she and members of the England team attend a reception at Downing St. Pic: PA
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Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson in the garden at No 10. Pic: PA

England's Esme Morgan, Anna Moorhouse and Grace Clinton try and get Larry the Cat's attention as they leave No.10 Downing Street. Pic: PA
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England’s Esme Morgan, Anna Moorhouse and Grace Clinton try and get Larry the Cat’s attention. Pic: PA

The celebrations will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an open-top bus parade through central London before the team gather outside Buckingham Palace.

The Lionesses retained their Women’s Euros title on Sunday night by beating Spain in Basel, Switzerland.

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Behind the scenes after Lionesses’ win

Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 ahead in the first half, but England’s Alessia Russo levelled the score in the 57th minute.

The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with the score remaining the same at the end of extra-time.

The match then went to a penalty shootout, which the Lionesses won 3-1.

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‘No other drug does this amount of damage so quickly to your kidneys and bladder’: How party drug is destroying lives

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