Don't be afraid to say 'I need help'

However, the Aussie mum has come through it tougher than her situation.

On April 1, 2014, Ms Moran’s youngest son Jaie committed suicide, surviving his fiancé and 8-month-old daughter.

Once she started to come out of the fog, she decided to be more proactive, and encouraging others to do the same.

“Get help,” she insists.

“Jaie never gave us a chance to help.

“If [only] Jaie had said those simple words, 'Mum, I need help’.

“I’m trying to get people to understand family and friends do care.

“You’re not alone [and] there are other people out there who know how you feel.”

The mother is taking her message across Australia, riding her motorbike from town to town, with the support of suicide prevention organisation Over Down Under.

She will be in Muswellbrook on Saturday and hopes to see lots of local people supporting the cause.

She said while it may be daunting talking to people about feelings, it can’t be more daunting than the thought of self-harm.

At the same time, she urges people to think about those around them and ask them how they are.

“It can quite literally save someone’s life,” she said.

“You can’t just wait for people to ask for help.

“Be proactive, don’t sit there and wait.

“It’s better to have an angry friend than a dead friend.”

Ms Moran said it is possible to prevent a lot of suicide cases by having and open response to people and showing empathy.

“A simple smile can actually mean so much; even if you don’t feel like smiling,” she said.

The campaigner said she is by no means healed from the death of her son, but her way to get through her grief is to help others around the country.

“Jaie was full of life- he would help out when he could, he had a good heart,” she said.

“His life may have been short, but it had a lot of impact.

“[These are] good people in incredible pain.

“Why do people have to feel ashamed about feeling sad?”

Ms Moran said sweeping the issue under the carpet doesn’t work and that it is time for local communities to make a change.

She also wants people to not consider suicide as the defining act of those who do it.

Ms Moran and her family are grateful for the support they received while grieving.

“Everyone grieves in a different way,” she said.

“We’ve got a very tight circle of friends.”

Ms Moran said Over Down Under founder Jerry Farsoun has poured his life savings into the organisation to help reduce the stigmas associated with depression.

In 2008, Mr Farsoun became the only person in international aviation history to fly solo and unassisted around Australia in a Powerchute.

Ms Farsoun said for every person that commits suicide in Australia, another three people attempt.

If it saves one life and one family or group of friends from going through what she went through, she believes it worth it.

“Those figures are staggering,” she said.

“This [journey] is something I’d like to see through.

“I’m doing this to show how much I love my son, but [also] to show others how much they’re loved by people they haven’t even met.

Ms Moran wants to encourage people to look at those around them and consider asking them how they are and have a conversation with them

“Put the technology down- really connect,” she said.

“People are so wrapped up in their phones normal conversations are hard now.

“1 in 4 people in Australia suffer in depression- it’s not getting better because people are disconnecting more and more.

If you see the big orange Over Down Under bus in Muswellbrook at around 10am on Saturday, why not visit them?

You could get the support you need to save the life of someone close to you.

For more information on Over Down Under, or to donate, visit www.overdownunder.com.au

​If you, or someone you know is dealing with depression, contact Lifeline on 131 114, MensLine on 1300 789 978, or beyondblue on 1300 224 636​.