It was a year ago on Thursday that Jane Hunt's son William Rawsthorne took his own life.
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In the 12 months since, the Tamworth mum has founded a new charity, has campaigned for reform of the mental health system and lobbied politicians for change.
Ms Hunt said she felt a sense of "dread" in the run-up to October 14.
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"I think with all of us there, I think with the boy watching over us I think we'll have a fair bit of emotion," she said, on Wednesday.
"You never get over them not being here."
William died after a 10-year battle with a mental illness that was never even diagnosed.
Ms Hunt said she never believed he'd get adequate care in a rural area until he was an adult. He died just weeks before his 18th birthday.
His last text to her read "All I'm going to say is when I needed the funding it wasn't there, making people jump through a million hoops to get it is not the way to go."
She spent the last 12 months trying to "shine a light on a system that doesn't work".
"I think we're moving in the right direction. I think we will see a change. After COVID I think everyone's aware that it affects people in different ways," she said.
They've put out more funding for Lifeline and things like that. But it's no good if people can't come forward and come forward and tell their story and get the help that they need. There's still a lot of judgement out there... but it's a start."
She has raised over $3,669.39 for the Will I Am Legacy foundation so far. The battle for better services goes on.
"I don't mind travelling throughout our region, talking to the kids at school," she said.
"Because I do believe this will carry me through until I leave the earth.
"I made a promise to my son that I wouldn't have him let down again. And I've got to try and if I fail, I fail.
"It's not what I can do, it's what we can do a whole.
"It's not going to benefit my son anymore. But I think we as a community can take this up and say we deserve better, our kids deserve better."
The family gathered for a lunch in his honour to mark the anniversary.
- Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
- BeyondBlue 1300 224 636
- Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
- eheadspace 1800 650 890
- Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
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