By Ramazani Mwamba,Samuel Port

Copyright manchestereveningnews

A mum has spoken about the ‘stigma’ of mental health after her daughter took her own life. Dervla Curran, sadly passed away on Monday, August 25, and her mother says she “was a lot more popular than she realised”. Dervla, from Hull, had been living in Leeds where she worked as a sustainability consultant. A very talented and respected woman, she was one of Leeds and West Yorkshire’s Top 30 Under 30s winners in 2025. She won the award after her colleagues had nominated her for the success she had achieved. Months later, she took her own life. The 27-year-old was an only child and her grief-stricken mum, Nina, had initially wanted to keep the circumstances behind her death under wraps. However, Nina was inspired by various suicide prevention charities that reached out to her to shine a light on Dervla’s mental health issues. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here Speaking to Yorkshire Live, Nina said: “I was initially keeping it to myself that she had taken her own life. I haven’t had the coroner’s report but it is very much believed that’s what she did. “Dervla had quite a few weeks where she was struggling. I was struggling to cope with her, to be honest. I really wish that I knew there were more people out there I could have reached out to, to help me support her more. I think there is so much of a stigma linked to mental health and it can have an impact on how people then manage to carry on with life. “She was a lot more popular and well liked than she realised. On Friday night, we had a celebration of life for her birthday and over a hundred people attended. Family and friends from everywhere, some came down from as far as Edinburgh and London. It was lovely meeting all of her friends which helped.” Nina remarked Dervla was a keen swimmer growing up. At the age of 14 she was the national champion in the 400m and 800m freestyle in 2012, while swimming for the Kingston Upon Hull Swimming Club. She was also a keen runner and had completed the Leeds Half Marathon in April. Social media has been flooded with tributes for Dervla. Nina said: “I want to celebrate her life to help me and everyone remember what an amazing person she was! “She was always too hard on herself and wanted to be a star in everyone’s eyes, sadly she couldn’t see what an amazing, beautiful, intelligent and funny person she was. Let’s remember her for how she touched people’s lives and celebrate everything she achieved while she was with us.” Matty McDougall said: “One of the greatest hello’s and the hardest goodbye I’ve ever had in life. An infectious personality, intelligent, beautiful and a lot of crazy, but I wouldn’t have wanted you any other way. You clearly had a big impression on everyone you met and I’m so proud of that. Rest in peace.” Leeds and West Yorkshire Top 30 Under 30s said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to share the news of the passing of our Class of 2025 member, Dervla Curran. “‘Derv was everything a Top 30 winner should be. Bright, articulate, ambitious, intelligent, full of energy, full of fun…the list could go on. We are devastated. Our thoughts are with her family, her friends, and her colleagues at C3 Group. She will be missed by us all.” Uncle Kev Curran said: “The world has lost a little legend, the lighter of rooms and the kindest soul of beauty. I honesty cannot believe you are gone. We will celebrate you and honour your life. “If only you knew how many lives you touched and how fond others where of you. You are so loved I just wish you would have known how much you were truly loved. We miss you dearly, my beautiful hearted niece and my sisters best friend and daughter. Go and tell the people you care about that you love them as much as you can all the time.” Aunt Ciara Curran said: “Nobody should ever see their child die before them. This pain is unbearable as an auntie for myself it’s so hard. So wish you could just wake up from this Dervla so you could just see how many people loved you especially your mum. Sending love to my sister. Thanks to everyone who has given and supported this, appreciate the support and the kind words #forever27.”