Ryan Kelly’s grieving mum’s plea for more mental health dialogue
The mother of Ryan Kelly, who died last week when he was struck by a truck, says the tragedy can remind us to continue reaching out to each other to speak about mental health.
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Ryan Kelly was always open about his struggles with mental health and helped others with their own battles with anxiety and depression.
The 28-year-old Paralowie man last week died after he was struck by a truck on the Port River Expressway at Gillman.
The truck driver was treated for shock and is not expected to be charged over the incident.
Police are investigating whether it was a suicide.
Mr Kelly’s mother, Kylie Kelly, said her son wore his heart on his sleeve and lived to help others.
“He was somebody who had such a big heart but did not realise how many people he helped in little to big moments of their lives,” Ms Kelly said. Mr Kelly worked in insurance and banking.
He left behind three siblings, Sarah Rogers, 26, Jackson Kelly, 23, and Haylee Caple, 16, and a girlfriend, Tamara Beaton.
He loved Port Adelaide Football Club, music, his friends and family.
Family described his smile as “infectious and gravitating”.
Ms Kelly had received messages from strangers in recent days, saying Mr Kelly helped them through their darkest days.
She said her son’s premature death should raise awareness of young people who may be struggling with mental health but not showing any signs.
She said the family did not realise the extent of Mr Kelly’s suffering.
“He was always very open about his mental health; we obviously didn’t realise he was struggling so much,” she said.
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“If this brings awareness, if someone is feeling down and reaches out and it saves a life, that’s what we want from this.
“This needs to be said and it needs to bring awareness because it’s what he (Ryan) would want.”
The family has raised $7000 since Mr Kelly’s death to buy a park bench in his honour.
They will donate the remainder of the money to men’s mental health organisations. Nathan Bolton, a men’s health advocate, is on the Premier’s Council on Suicide Prevention and the SA Mental Health Commission’s Community Advisory Committee.
He and his brother, Daniel, deliver talks at schools and groups to encourage men to speak out about their problems.
“It can happen to anyone; no man is too big a man to suffer mental health and ask for help,” Mr Bolton said.
Shandy Arlidge, the acting executive director for the Mental Health Coalition of SA, said was important the community helped people experiencing mental distress and suicidal ideations find help.
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