Television presenter and vocal coach Carrie Grant has described the profound trauma of her autistic child being on suicide watch, stating it has "changed [her] forever." Speaking on Holly Willoughby's YouTube show, "Together," Grant recounted the challenging period between ages 13 and 16 when her child, Tylan, then a teenager, required constant monitoring due to severe mental health struggles.

Tylan, who is 24 and non-binary, also has Asperger's and dyscalculia. Grant explained that life began to improve when Tylan secured the role of Phoenix Hathaway on the television show "Hollyoaks" from 2018 to 2024, a character who was also non-binary and autistic. "When you live in that hypervigilant space, many of us parents, autism families, the parents have complex PTSD because of these situations," Grant said.

Grant detailed the difficulties in obtaining adequate support for Tylan, particularly in secondary school. She recalled an email from a headteacher to a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) suggesting they "stand well back and watch the fireworks go off" rather than engage with her concerns about Tylan's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This lack of support, she explained, led to Tylan experiencing severe self-harm and hospitalization.

"As a parent I think you're changed. I don't think I will ever be the same person that I was before that experience," Grant stated. She described the constant anxiety of checking on her child, "opening their bedroom door. The first place you look is the ceiling to check. My god, the second place you look is their duvet. Is it going up and down?"

Grant highlighted that "some children don't make it through" such experiences, leading to anger towards services that failed to provide adequate help, especially when "begged." She contrasted this with Tylan's experience on "Hollyoaks," where the cast and crew had received autism training, which Grant found more effective than the training received by educators. "A lighting rigger on Hollyoaks has had more autism training than any teacher that's ever taught any of my children," she remarked.

Carrie and David Grant have four children, all of whom have various neurodivergent diagnoses. Their daughter Olive Gray, 31, has ADHD and dyspraxia. Their son Arlo, 20, is autistic and has ADHD. Their youngest son, Nathan, who was adopted at age two, has ADHD and attachment issues. Grant's children Arlo and Olive have identified as non-binary.

For confidential support, individuals can contact Samaritans at 116 123, visit samaritans.org, or find resources at thecalmzone.net.