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THERE are moments of tears and overwhelming sadness as Simone Headley talks about her son Matt.
But there are also smiles as Simone goes through photos of the happy times in the 23-year-old’s life.
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READ NOW“The worst thing is finding your own child,” she said.
Matt committed suicide on December 14, 2015.
The mum-of-two found her oldest child outside their home.
On the night of December 13, Matt told his mum he was going out with friends.
“I said, ‘be safe’,” Simone said.
“I was up at 4am the next morning because my cat had just been to the vet a few days before.
“I found the dog locked in the hallway which was unusual because he was always with Matt.
“And that’s when I found him (Matt).”
Simone said Matt suffered from mental health issues and had been to the doctor to get medication.
“I’m not sure if he had taken any that night,” she said.
Simone has Stepped Out of the Shadows to share her heartache alongside friend of more than 10 years, Doreen Wray.
Doreen, who is a territory sales manager at the Western Suburbs Weekly, still remembers getting the sad news.
“I was in Bali and I still remember how I found out… it was from a friend via text message,” she said.
“I still remember that holiday, you don’t want to enjoy yourself because someone is going through that pain.
“But it was when I learnt how to use Wifi.”
Simone’s “second family” at The Mighty Quinn Tavern in Yokine instantly got in touch with each other via Messenger to work out the best way to help their friend and her family.
“Everyone wanted to help with Matt’s funeral,” Doreen said.
“Simone is a very independent single mum and takes a lot on herself but we all wanted to help.”
Simone has leant on this family and her counsellor over the past year and a half.
“I couldn’t have got through this without my counsellor. I still see her now,” she said.
“I arranged a counselling session at my house for Matt’s friends and David Kelly from Lifeline came out with my counsellor.
“Young guys keep things buried.
“There needs to be more done, we need to get out to schools.”
Simone said everyone needed to call their friends and “see if they are alright or go and see them for just two minutes so they know you’re there for them”.
*Source: emmaTM conducted by Ipsos MediaCT for 12 months ending January – Readers in Last 4 Weeks. Nielsen DRM.
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