PENTICTON — She was a caring, compassionate young woman with her whole life ahead of her, but Chloe Highley’s time was cut short after a roller coaster ride of mental health issues.
“We were begging for a solution to make Chloe feel better and end the suffering not through death,” says Chloe’s mother Tricia, choking back tears.
“She didn’t need to die to end her suffering.”
Chloe suffered from anxiety and depression. To deal with the pain, Chloe’s parents say she turned to drugs as self-medication late last year. In January, her anxiety became unbearable.
“She was yelling and screaming and crying trying to get ready for work,” Chloe’s dad, Danny recounts.
“I took her to the ER because she couldn’t function. I told them that she’s not functioning and there’s something not right.”
The Highleys reached out for help to the government’s Child and Youth Mental Health Office and Children’s Hospital, but after months of referrals and meetings, they were still unable to get Chloe treatment.
The Highleys say they were told Chloe’s condition wasn’t severe enough to warrant a bed at Chilren’s Hospital or fast track her treatment. They were also told she needed to deal with her addiction issues before receiving help, even though she was using it to mask other issues.
By the end of the April, Chloe’s parents say she was anorexic and taking hard drugs. On April 26, she died from a drug overdose.
Now the Highleys are advocating for change to help kids suffering from mental health issues. They’re spearheading the Chloe Grace Foundation, in hopes of giving teens in crisis a place to go for help.
The foundation is in its infancy stages, but you can find out more and hear more about Chloe’s story here.
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