A MOLD man has shared his experiences in the hope of helping others to deal with bereavement and depression.

Dennis Saunders turned 75 last week and told the Leader that "life is good."

But Mr Saunders said he has for many years been coming to terms with the loss of both his wife and son, which has taken its toll on his mental health.

His 16-year-old son David Llewellyn (called Dai) applied to join the Army to learn a technical trade such as signalling or engineering.

But when his application was declined on medical grounds he took his own life in March 1987.

Mr Saunders, originally from Dorset, said: "He'd set his heart on it and went for a medical in Wrexham, but they found he had tinnitus.

"It was as though everything was taken away – things went downhill slowly after that.

“I was working on the post office counter in Earl Road (Mold) then.

“People would come up to the counter not long after and ask 'are you over it' or 'I am sorry to hear about it' and it was a constant reminder."

Mr Saunders left the post office and became a flying instructor - a profession he continued for the next 12 years.

In 2007 his wife Jennifer (called Jeni) was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease.

Mr Saunders said: "When she was diagnosed she decided she wanted to come back to Wales.

"I cared for her for the last three-and-a-half years. That was when we were still living in Flint.

"She died in 2011 of pneumonia brought on by the Motor Neurone disease. She was 65.

"After I lost Jeni it was like a double whammy cause we’d already lost our son. I had pretty bad mood swings. I was not coping well.

“Being in a big house on my own didn’t help."

Mr Saunders said he moved back to Mold in 2017 to "face his demons" and come to terms with the events of his life.

He told the Leader his difficulties with his mental health continued - until this year, when he reached "a turning point".

He said: "A few months ago I was depressed in the autumn, but I’d already booked a holiday to go to my friend's in Columbia.

"I went to the travel agent to ask if I could give my ticket away.

"The lady said ‘Dennis, just go an enjoy yourself.’ So I did go and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

"It was a turning point and I am back on track now.

"From the middle of January I have been a new person.

"I don’t forget my wife, I don’t forget my son.

"But I have made lots of friends here and they have helped a lot.

"I have challenged myself and faced up to everything and it worked for me.

"It could have gone either way but I have faced up to what has happened in my life."

Asked what advice he'd give to someone who may find themselves facing depression or grief, Mr Saunders added: "Hang in there. Take one day at a time.

"From my point of view, be positive rather than negative.

"Do something positive as well – I go line dancing and decorating in the Daniel Owen Community Centre and things like that. I go walking and keep active.

"When I was depressed in the autumn I stayed indoors a lot and it doesn’t work.

"You need to go out even though you don’t want to.

"Even though you might feel rough inside, try to have a positive outlook."