Christopher’s suicide left their family devastated. It was particularly hard for Nic, his younger brother, who was already in and out of hospital battling mood disorders and depression.

Jayne and Nic are now getting out into the community to connect with people and start conversations around mental health and suicide prevention. They will lead the free forum ‘Let’s Talk’ presented by Riverina Bluebell in Wagga on June 5.

“So many people feel so alone when they go through this, they just don’t realise there are other people going through the same thing,” Mrs Newling said.  

She outlines a culture of silence, pressure to achieve and an enduring “masculine” refusal to show weakness as contributing to the tragic early death of her son. 

“It’s not macho to be quiet, you’re showing strength by talking about it,” Mrs Newling said.  

Over the last 10 years, the suicide rate has been approximately three times higher for men than women. 

For Nic, a “blokey” school and community culture made mental illness “something to be embarrassed about.” 

He hopes to see this change. Touring around the country, he’s amazed by the insight of the kids he meets and hopes the forum will encourage people to talk. 

Jayne has experienced the healing power of talking first-hand and recently wrote a memoir, Missing Christopher. 

“I’ll live with this trauma for the rest of my life but writing about it got it out of my system … it was like a purge.” she said.

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