Before Liam’s death, we had a real lads’ mentality around mental health

Liam was initially my brother Daniel’s friend, but when I was 18 we started hanging out too. We’d always go to the pub for a pint and to play pool or darts. Liam was the joker of the group and always had people in stitches.

He’d come out with the funniest stories which were usually 95 per cent true and he’d add the other five per cent for effect. He was the kind of person who was always laughing, and he had a really distinct high-pitched laugh. No one had anything bad to say about him. He’d do anything for you, and he was always the person who could make you feel better.

“Liam never really opened up about how he was feeling, but there were times when he’d not be around for a while.”

Before Liam’s death we had a real lads’ mentality around mental health, but that’s changed now. We’re much better at talking if we’re feeling down.

Liam never really opened up about how he was feeling, but looking back there were times when he’d not be around for a while. We just put it down to Liam being Liam but with hindsight it was probably a sign he wasn’t feeling great.

When I was younger I struggled myself with depression and anxiety – although I didn’t recognise that’s what it was at the time. I went to see my GP and it’s much more manageable now.

“You never know when that better day is coming. The good news that could turn things around may come tomorrow.”

If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s so important to ask for help, whether it’s from your GP, Mind or your friends. You never know when that better day is coming. It’s a long battle, but the good news that could turn things around may come tomorrow.

Talking is a massive help, which is why the services Mind offers is so important. I signed up for the Great North Run to raise money for Mind in Liam’s memory.

I didn’t want to tell everyone what I was doing until I’d done some training and knew I could actually do it. I set up a JustGiving page, promoted it on my social media and told my friends about it.

"If Liam was around, he’d have taken the mickey out of me for doing the run, but he’d have been really proud too."

I kept reminding everyone about my fundraising every couple of weeks and updated them with my training. The actual run itself was much harder than I expected but more rewarding too. It was a blistering hot day and the atmosphere was amazing. There were 60,000 on the course, and people lined the streets cheering, handing out sweets and water. I finished it in just over two hours and raised nearly £1,300.

If Liam was around, I know he’d have taken the mickey out of me for doing the run, but he’d have been really proud too.