Wonthaggi in mourning after loss of Nicholas Ridley who took his own life

The family of a 27-year-old man from Wonthaggi who took his own life are desperate to make his legacy a campaign to get people to speak out and seek help for their mental health.

Nic Ridley (middle) and his siblings Anna Corbett, Adam Ridley, Jaxon Wade and Rya Wade. Picture: Supplied

Nicholas Ridley kept his cards close to his chest.

He was clever, funny and sweet.

He spoke to the point and had a way of making people feel good.

But the 27-year-old Wonthaggi man also lived with depression and took his life on August 2.

His family and community are in mourning and say his death is “immeasurable”.

They desperately believe more needs to be done to break the silence and to stop another family from suffering.

Nic’s sister Anna Corbett said she hoped by speaking about Nic’s death, it encouraged others to seek help.

“I can’t tell you how each person is grieving as we’re all different ... it’s different for each one of us,” she said.

“That said we are devastated … Nic’s death is immeasurable.”

The closest inpatient facility to Wonthaggi is more than 100km away at Traralgon’s Latrobe Regional Hospital.

But his family believe there should be services closer to home.

“Connection is so important in healing and the only option is so far away,” Ms Corbett said.

“I believe trauma healing in relation to mental health needs to be addressed.

“We’ve progressed so much and yet we’re so far behind here.”

Ms Corbett said people needed to start having real conversations about their feelings.

“Nic was very private and kept his cards close,” she said.

“I wish he saw what a beautifully kind caring man he really was.”

Nic Ridley has been remembered by family. Picture: Supplied

Ms Corbett said her brother and her grew closer after their mum Liana died early last year.

“He would give me really tight hello and goodbye hugs almost to assert his younger brother dominance that he was finally bigger than me,” she said.

“We spent a lot more time over the past 18 months saying ‘I love you’ than we ever did as kids.”

A GoFundMe to support Nic’s family has already raised more than $14,000.

Ms Corbett said her family wanted to donate some of the funds to a mental health organisation.

His brother Adam said Nic, who was studying to become a radiographer, spoke truthfully.

“He didn’t mess about with small talk and wasn’t one to lie to appease,” he said.

“He made you feel honestly good about the person you were.”

Headspace Wonthaggi is open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and Wellways Wonthaggi is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

If you or someone you know is needing help, contact a support service immediately.