HOPE4U FOUNDATION

---

How does a family continue when a second son  loses his battle to depression and he dies from suicide.
it affects  a partner, cousins. Uncles. Aunts, brothers and parents.
I have now lost my second son to depression and his life to suicide.
my youngest son  Aaron at the age of 27 had depression and words and what if’s will never bring him back.
i don’t want to be another statistic or example of  the role on affects of suicide. It is real it is damaging.
talk about your darkness and your personal struggles don’t let society put pressure on you to feel ashamed. 

Born in New Zealand, 1984. He was the second eldest son of six children. Jason moved to Australia with his siblings. Married and had two beautiful children.  Jason was 31 years old when his life ended.  Jason suffered from a mental health condition. However that does exempt anyone from severe depression to the point that Jason died from suicide on the 10th November 2015.

Jason appeared to be a funny happy man never showed his depression to those around him. There where no signs that he was depressed but  he made a choice that nobody like  to end his life

As a mum I wanted to stop the stigma around suicide. Our family had been through so much grief from the suicide of Jason that I wanted to start an awareness about suicide and the impact it has on families. To walk and acknowledge Jason's life and others that had died from suicide is important because suicide has such a stigma and nobody talks about those that have died from a suicide. Every year in February there is a hope walk.  

 Ms ROBYN PRESTON (Hawkesbury) (19:52): I update the House on my recent attendance at the 2021 Hope Walk on Saturday 13 February 2021 at McQuade Park, Windsor. The annual walk is about raising awareness of suicide and the impact it has on families. It was initiated by Diane Russell five years ago in honour of her son Jason, who died from suicide in 2015. Diane was also a victim of domestic violence and had to raise her children as a single parent. Diane has established the Hope4U Foundation, which offers support 24/7 to families and individuals suffering from grief and/or domestic violence. The assistance includes providing support and hope for those grieving from a suicide. I commend Diane for the very important work that she does and I thank all those who have supported her initiatives throughout the year. 

If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are always ahead. Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest of times. Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes your way. Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be....

Because during these times, hope will be the very thing that carries you through, (Nikki Banas)

Hope4u foundation Limited

Registered by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission

ABN 83639562897

Even though it rained the hope walk 2021 went ahead. Suicide does not stop regardless of the weather.  Great support from those that walked and from the messages from friends far away. 

 Started by Diane Tracy Marie Russell after the sad loss of her son, the aim is to let everyone know it is OK to talk about it, seek help and support each other. 

We have endured some very hard times over the past 12 months or so. Many people have felt vulnerable, isolated and under intense pressure. Reaching out to those around you to let them know there is help available is something we all can do. Small things such as giving a smile, stopping for a chat or offering to help out can really make a difference to someone having a challenging time.