When Kahi Simon took his life at the tender age of 20, he was engulfed by an "immense sadness".
"He was such an empath," his mum Kelly Kay said.
"He used to go out of his way to make sure everyone else's health was OK.
"He used to take on a lot of other people's stuff. He would cry about their misfortune. He felt like he had to help people."
This is why Mrs Kay holds the annual Kahi Simon Suicide Prevention Fundraiser in her son's honour.
The event, to be held on May 30 at NEX in Newcastle West, raises money to bridge gaps in the mental health system.
"This is what he would have wanted - to help other people," Mrs Kay said.
Funds raised will help run the Evolve Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub at Charlestown.
Mrs Kay's previous fundraising efforts helped establish the hub last year. This year, its space was doubled thanks to more donations.
Run by the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, the hub is for all ages.
It has information, advice, support and a referral program, along with psychologists, counsellors and different therapy styles.
It also provides follow-up support.
A second Evolve hub has been created at Forster Neighbourhood Centre, supported by Mrs Kay's fundraising.
It too will benefit from the NEX fundraiser.
The Forster hub is close to Mrs Kay's heart because that was the region where Kahi had sought treatment.
"There was nothing up there like this," she said.
Kahi grew up in Stockton and went to Newcastle High, but also lived in Forster.
He died five days after being discharged from a 10-day stint in Taree Hospital's mental health inpatient unit, after a suicide attempt.
He had been staying in Newcastle, but relapsed and needed somewhere to go for help.
Mrs Kay has become a passionate fundraiser for suicide prevention.
"These hubs were created from what we felt was missing when Kahi needed help," she said.
"They're somewhere people can drop in, feel supported and be connected to the services they need, rather than having to wait."
Kahi began showing signs of depression throughout his teenage years.
"In his last weeks, he was so depressed and sad," Mrs Kay said.
Touching videos of his life show a happy and loving soul.
"Even in his last weeks, I would ask 'are you OK?' He'd say sorry and ask if I was OK," Mrs Kay said.
"He was more worried about what it was doing to me than how he was feeling. He kept apologising.
"I often wonder if it was because he felt like a burden."
Kahi was born when his mum was 20. He had a good upbringing.
"I see a lot of him in me. I struggled a lot with depression in my teenage years," Mrs Kay said.
"When I had him, it completely changed me. I always think he saved me, but I couldn't save him."
Kahi died by suicide in October 2023.
Many who knew him couldn't comprehend his death, as his life seemed good.
Mrs Kay said healing for her was "still an everyday struggle".
"I'm slowly getting on with life. Fundraising is healing for me and keeps me going," she said.
Tickets for the May 30 fundraiser are available through Humantix.
