Jane said they would turn around in supermarket aisles to avoid her as they did not know what to say, when what she wanted was for them to talk to or put their arms around her.

At Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network’s community event along the Bega River Reserve on Wednesday, Jane was part of a group walking in memory of Courtney, who died aged 20 in tragic circumstances in 2010.

Courtney’s parents Jane and Peter said she was a lovely and beautiful woman who was much-loved by the Bega Valley community. 

Peter said community events such as SPAN’s Walk With Me provided support for “people who had been left behind that suffer every minute of every day”.

There is support available for people with suicidal thoughts, he said. 

“You may be at peace, but your family will be suffering for the rest of their lives,” he said. 

Mr Hull said mental health issues are treatable, common and there is no longer such a negative stigma around talking about them. 

Family friend Shirley Rixon was walking with the Hulls and said if you see the signs that someone was suffering from mental health issues or contemplating taking their lives, do not ignore it.

She said the signs included a person saying “don’t worry about me I’m okay”, changes in their eyes and facial expressions, as well as the person stopping socialising. 

“If you see the need, then don’t walk away from the person,” Ms Rixon said.