A MASQUERADE ball in memory of Lewis Johnstone, who tragically took his own life, has helped raised £25,000 for SAMH.

The event took place at Enterkine House on February 11 this year with 200 people in attendance and all the proceeds going to the mental health charity. 

Lewis was only 21 when he took his own life in September 2016. 
He had been battling with depression for a few years but some people never saw this side of Lewis, and wished they could have - so they could have helped him.

Sharon and Neil Johnstone, Lewis’ parents, spoke to the Ayr Advertiser Series about their son and the problems he had been suffering. 
They feel there is still too much stigma surrounding the condition which needs to be addressed.

Sharon said: “Lewis has isolated himself and did not speak to his friends. But there were messages from all of the boys asking him where he was.

“He was hopeful he would get better. Lewis was just a typical teenager and a big eejit. He was not any different and liked a good laugh. He was a big boy but he was not perfect.

“He was a nice and normal boy. We don’t want the rest of our children to grow up thinking they had a saintly brother.

“Lewis liked going out with his friends and playing football but that came to an end for him.”

When Lewis left school at 18 he was taken on by football team to play for them professionally but the funding did not come through.
It was then Sharon and Neil began to notice a difference in Lewis’ mental wellbeing. 

Sharon continued: “I think that was the start of it. I do not think young people are prepared enough for when they leave school. It is a whole new world.”

Neil added: “He was living the dream until that point. Since September last year, the biggest help has been the support from family and friends. It has been over whelming even the smallest gesture means so much to us.”

Sharon explained how she found out Lewis had suffering from depression.

She said: “Boys change. I though he was just being a teenager. I did not realise he had a problem right away. I wish we had known about counselling sooner. 

“We would have paid for it.

“Since everything happened we have been seeing a counsellor but it is frightening how many other people we have handed his number to.”

Sharon and Neil are going to continue fundraising to create a charity or a foundation in Lewis’ name. 

Their aim is to fund a counsellor for every school in South Ayrshire so young people who are struggling have someone to talk to. 

Sharon said: “No one should have to wait 20 weeks to speak to a counsellor or 10 days for an emergency appointment. When someone needs help they need it straight away.

“The guidance teachers are great. Belmont have a counsellor who comes to our house and speaks to all of us.”

Neil concluded: “We need a bit more compassion when it comes to understanding the illness.”

Sharon and Neil will start fundraising as soon as they can to develop the new charity purely dedicated to helping people with mental health problems in South Ayrshire. 

They will present a cheque of £25,000 to SAMH this month.