In May 2018 I lost my happy, smart, handsome son to suicide; he was just 17. Despite the immense love of his family, lots of very good friends and professional support through CAHMS, Tommy took his own life. What none of us could see was the struggle he faced every day to make sense of the world and the depression that he was living with.

It was a huge shock to so many people and I have often wondered what did I miss? You see Tommy was funny, he was always playing football with friends, he had a job in the bakers and was a football referee on Sundays. He was doing well at school and most of all, was happy. The last time I said goodbye to him he was happy and smiling, told me he loved me and would not be late.

Since losing Tommy I wanted people to know that depression is silent, it is hidden, and it is dangerous. I wanted to raise awareness to this and to help more children and young adults know that they are not alone, there is help and support and there is nothing to be ashamed of. I set up the Tommy Crush Foundation in 2019 to do just this