Why the last Mother's Day with her son meant more to Jodie than any other

"Reach out and talk to your loved ones" is the message one mother wants to emphasise after the death of her son. Subscribe now for unlimited access. SAVE $119 All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Readers are advised this story discusses suicide and may be distressing to some people. Jodie Edwards lost her son Meraki (Mac) Mansell in 2023. Picture by David Bellamy Jodie Edwards' son Meraki (Mac) Mansell died by suicide at the age of 30 in 2023. "He was such a fierce protector of his family, he loved fishing and playing football," she said. "He was a cute young boy with a personality that melted you." She said one of her favourite memories was the last Mother's Day they spent together. "I never got to spend a lot of Mother's Days with him," Ms Edwards said. "But Mother's Day that year, he went out of his way and I'd actually got to see the three of my children and got to spend the afternoon with him and spend quality time with him and just talk to him as mum and son and just be ourselves, just have some time together, which we didn't normally get." As Ms Edwards became emotional, her daughter Keeomee Mansell continued the story. "He brought her gifts, a very, very special card that mum will forever hold onto. "He cooked her a roast meal. "They watched their favourite footy team, the Magpies. "[They had] quality time together, which is something that wasn't always possible with the life that he lived, so that was just something special that really sticks." Ms Edwards said her son was open to her about his drug use. "He was quite open to me about his challenges, especially with the drug issues, not so much about mental health because I don't think he really associated mental health with his drug addiction," Ms Edwards said. "It did give me some type of understanding of how he was feeling and where he was coming from, even though it didn't make me any happier." Ms Edwards with her two daughters Keeomee Mansell and Jada Edwards. The trio will join others impacted by suicide at Burnie Park on September 11 for the Out of the Shadows Suicide Awareness Walk. Picture by David Bellamy Ms Edwards encouraged others to speak up so they do not have to go through what she has. "When you lose someone you love so much, and in this way, especially when it's your child, someone you carried for nine months, gave birth to and raised, it puts grief on a whole new level and will last for the rest of your life, especially when you don't fully understand the why," she said. "For any parents out there that have worries for their children, I urge you to check in with your child, get involved with their life and just be there," she said. "For anyone that thinks this [suicide] is your only option, reach out and talk to your loved ones because whether you believe it or not, they love you so much and will do anything they can to help you." Ms Edwards and her family will join others impacted by suicide at Burnie Park on September 11 for the Out of the Shadows Suicide Awareness Walk. The night will start at 5.30pm. Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 or beyondblue 1300 224 636. More from Health Be the first to know when news breaks. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarGuide, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Real local, smart property news for regional Australia Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Stay in the know on news that matters to you with twice weekly newsletters from The Senior. As it happens Subscriber Only Get the very best journalism from The Advocate by signing up to our special reports. The latest news, results & expert analysis. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.