‘Such a shock’: Family’s plea after popular performer loses mental health battle

The family of popular Brisbane performer Jamie Wood have revealed devastating new details about the final conversation he had with his mum.

The family of popular Brisbane performer Jamie Wood is begging others struggling with mental health to “just keep calling” in their darkest hour.

In the early hours of Sunday Mr Wood lost a long battle with mental health, which he had disclosed with only a few.

To the thousands of others he left a mark on, he was an effervescent character who lit up every room.

“He truly seemed to be the happiest guy,” his sister Samantha Wood told The Courier-Mail.

“He was constantly motivating and uplifting everyone else.

“It’s just inspiring how many knocks someone can take and he would keep getting back up on his feet.”

The sister of Brisbane performer Jamie Wood (pictured) is begging others battling with mental health to "just call" in their darkest hour – Photo Supplied

A passionate dancer, Mr Wood had performed with Ricki-Lee and a Michael Jackson tribute tour, and on cruise ships for years before losing his job in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The resilient 31-year-old thrust himself into new pursuits, performing at Fluffy nightclub on Sundays and beginning a barbering apprenticeship.

“The exact same night that he ended his life, he called my mum and was so excited about his new life and moving into his new apartment,” Ms Wood said.

“He had the whole place made up how he wanted it- very Zen- and he was just so excited to go on a new journey with his barbering.

“That’s why it has come at such a shock that this has happened within hours of him having those conversations with my mum.”

The kind and generous “giver” had spoken openly with his family about his mental health for more than a decade but it wasn’t until six months ago he was finally diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Jamie Wood.

He lost his battle at his Bowen Hills apartment on Sunday.

“I got a phone call from my mum basically just screaming on the phone ‘he’s dead, he’s dead’ and I just thought it had to be a joke,” Ms Wood said.

“I don’t think there was one traumatic experience that caused his mental illness, I just think he felt alone.

“I know there had been times when he would call the crisis helplines and they wouldn’t answer or return his calls and in those times he felt very alone.”

Nicholas Wood believes more could have been done for his brother who had previously been admitted to hospital for mental-health related issues.

“He was always there for everyone and he always knew that we were there for him but he had internal battles that he couldn’t overcome,” Nicholas said.

“He was the greatest brother you could ask for.”

Nick and Samantha Wood with their brother Jamie who took his life on Sunday. Photo: Supplied

Nicholas’s partner Brittany Jobling said she wished her “ball of light” had known he wasn’t alone on Sunday morning.

The family is urging anyone else in a dark place to reach out to family or a friend before making an irreversible decision.

“I would beg people to keep calling any resource you can that will speak with you, call a friend and if they don’t pick up, call another friend,” Ms Wood said.

Jamie Wood.

“Because it has had the most humongous impact and I can’t imagine my life without my brother.

“It’s been two days since Jamie’s passing and I’ve only just now been able to tell my nine-year-old son, and Jamie’s poor nephew just broke down crying.”

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $$15,000 for Mr Wood’s funeral, a big party which is yet to be arranged.

“He would want a big party for him, celebrating his incredible life,” Ms Wood said.