Torquay mum’s mental health mission after son’s tragic overdose

Tom Farrall suffered a fatal overdose following a long battle with anxiety and addiction. Now his mum is on a mission to make a difference.

Carolyn Biram's son, Tom Farrall, died from an accidental drug overdose. Picture: Alan Barber

Torquay’s Carolyn Biram is on a mission to encourage honest conversations, after losing her “delightful” son to a fatal overdose.

Tom Farrall was just 27 years old when he died in December 2021.

The eldest of four children, his mum said he was kind, funny and opinionated.

“He just seemed to fit in everywhere he went … he was super charming,” Ms Biram said.

When he was 15, Mr Farrall was diagnosed with anxiety after he lost a friend to suicide.

“Tom really presented as a confident, popular, friendly guy,” Ms Biram said.

“On the inside he really struggled.”

Then another mate died in a house fire several years later.

Mr Farrall started smoking cannabis as a teenager, and by his late teens his drug use had significantly escalated, Ms Biram said.

By his mid 20s he had a “severe heroin addiction”.

But in the 18 months before his death, Mr Farrall appeared to be on the road to recovery.

He had completed rehabilitation and participated in a sober living house in Melbourne.

Mr Farrall was studying, with hopes to be a youth worker to help other people who were struggling.

Ms Biram said he had suffered a few relapses and overdoses before one proved fatal due to his reduced tolerance.

She was driving from Torquay to Geelong when her ex-husband, Mr Farrall’s dad, called with the devastating news that their son had been found dead.

Carolyn Biram and her late son Tom Farrall. Picture: Supplied

She pulled over and cried, before the police took her home.

“It was actually shocking … I thought we were out the other side with Tom’s addiction,” the 55-year-old said.

“I think I’d let my guard down.”

Ms Biram said Mr Farrall had methamphetamine, heroin and benzodiazepines in his system when he died, and the death was ruled an accidental overdose.

She said people needed to understand drug addiction was not a choice, and substance use could be associated with mental health challenges.

“There’s shame still attached to it and there shouldn’t be,” she said.

She believes Mr Farrall, who had been medicated for anxiety, began using illicit drugs to try to take the edge off his feelings.

Tom Farrall died in 2021. Picture: Supplied

After Mr Farrall’s death Ms Biram was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

She was unable to work and said she could barely function.

“I was feeling helpless and really lost,” she said.

But she saw a promotion for the Beyond Blue ‘Big Blue Table’ initiative, which ran for the first time last year.

The idea is tohost a meal, set a blue table, have meaningful conversations and raise funds to help those experiencing anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.

She held an event last year that was attended by others affected by Mr Farrall’s passing, and received an “overwhelming” response.

Last year, Ms Biram raised $4162 and her 2023 goal is $5000.

“When the opportunity came up to do it again this year it was a no-brainer,” she said.

Money raised during the campaign, running in October, goes to the Beyond Blue Support Service, which provides free 24/7 counselling, advice and referrals for those in need via phone, web chat and email.

Big Blue Table events can be held for any meal, including brunch or afternoon tea, and in any setting – at home, workplaces or even a local sporting club.

To learn more about the initiative and register Big Blue Table event, visit bigbluetable.com.au.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue Support Service – 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au/get-support

Originally published as Torquay mum’s mental health mission after son’s tragic overdose