A heartbroken mum dedicated to ending the stigma over a "silent killer" said she had two choices when her "beautiful" daughter died suddenly.
Jade Roberts, 26, from Knotty Ash, died just hours after taking a video laughing and playing with her kids in the garden. Jade was previously described as a woman who "would do anything for anyone" and had "a heart of gold."
She was an "unbelievable mum" as "every minute of the day was dedicated to her children". The "incredible" woman suffered from anxiety and depression but mum Tracey previously described how she did not realise the true extent of what her daughter was going through.
READ MORE: UK cities that previously hosted the Eurovision Song Contest as Liverpool included in 2023 shortlist
But as Tracey spiralled deeper into a depression, she told the ECHO she had two choices, one to "spiral further and give up" or to make a change and "help others". So, with the help of her loved ones, the trained psychotherapist began the process of setting up a project in her daughters name.
Called The Jade Roberts Project, they will soon be opening their building at 109 Rocky Lane which will help them provide workshops on anxiety, depression, suicide prevention and coping techniques as well as providing a counselling service. Those in suicidal crisis can access the project through a referral.
Tracey told the ECHO: "After losing Jade to suicide last year, I've never experienced depression like it. I was stuck in my bedroom, crying all the time, no motivation. I was suffering PTSD, I wasn't sleeping. My daughter had to basically look after me.
"I have a lot of resilience and I had two choices. I could either go further and give up, but I went with the other choice, to help. I don't want anyone to go through the pain that myself and my family have gone through. The pain will never go away, I'm just learning to live with it."
With the hopes of ending the stigma and spreading the message that it's okay to not be okay, the family say it feels like Jade is "still here" as they create a legacy in her memory, not only for her, but her children. Tracey added: "After that I lived in the library, I did a lot of research. There's no help out there for people. I thought I have to change this. I truly believe everything I've learnt about the signs, all the knowledge I now have, Jade would still be here."
A fundraising page was set up last year to kickstart the charity, going towards the renting of the building so people can attend when they are referred, as well as allowing the volunteers to get the relevant training. But more needs to be raised to ensure the help can continue, and more training can be undertaken to help "save lives".
The fundraiser, which will go towards training such as ASIST ( Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), can be found here. More information about ASIST can be found by clicking here.
Tracey added: "The more people trained in ASIST the more lives can be saved, but it's over £100 per person. There's a five-day course in October that's £3,000 each but I truly believe with these skills, we can reach out to more."
With the hopes of an open day on October 1 and the official launch of the project on October 3, Tracey is reaching out for more volunteers who are willing to help as well as support workers and counsellors.. Those that are can email enquiries@thejaderobertsproject.co.uk or call Tracey on 07508567072.
As well as a ten-week project focusing on mental health and a counselling service, Tracey has high hopes for the future in the form of a befriending service, yoga classes, walks in the park and hiring a minibus for days out. A billboard outside of their building will also spread the message that it's okay to not be okay.
She said: "Suicide is a silent killer, you can't see what's going on in someone's head. You can see a black eye or a broken leg and breaking that stigma, to me, is about more people coming forward and talking about how they are really feeling. It's about making people feel listened to and giving them hope."
Many tributes came pouring in for Jade, who was described by her mum as a "caring and compassionate woman". But having this charity in her name, is an "honour", her family said. Tracey added: "It isn't just a random project, it's emotional because of what it stands for.
"But it's in honour of my beautiful daughter to help people and save lives and while I'm doing this, it's like she's still here, her name is being mentioned all the time."
In the hopes of spreading awareness and raising further funds towards the project, Jade's siblings Danni and Jake will be bravely taking to the skies on September 24 at 2pm for a skydive. Having already raised over £1,000, the fundraiser can be found by clicking here.
More information on mental health and common signs and symptoms, such as loneliness, low moods, panic, stress and grief, can be found on the NHS website by clicking here.
READ NEXT:
Lidl plans to restore former cinema building with new south Liverpool store
UK cities that previously hosted the Eurovision Song Contest as Liverpool included in 2023 shortlist
Mum thought she would never be able to walk down street sober
The city centre pub standing defiant in the face of cost of living 'body blow'
Man converts van into dream motorhome after being brought back from brink of death
