A FUNDING project has been launched to help secure the future of Lachlan De Vries, 8, of Bangor.
Both his parents battled depression and took their own lives.
His mother, Richelle Turpin, was six months into a five-year mental-health care plan when she took her own life almost a year ago.
Lachlan was just two when his biological father died.
It was reported in the media on March 1 that Lachlan was now being adopted by his loving stepfather Jeremy De Vries, 29, of Bangor, with the blessing of Richelle's family.
"The first time we met he held my hand and he started calling me Dad and sometimes I forget he's not mine," Mr De Vries told the Sunday Telegraph.
"He's in grade 3 now and doing great and I think we've finally turned the corner."
Ms Turpin and Mr De Vries met in October 2012 and were engaged.
"She was the love of my life and the thing I loved about her was how happy and positive and bubbly she was," Mr De Vries said.
Following Ms Turpin's death, her sisters Brooke, Hayley and Samantha launched a major mental-health awareness campaign in Sutherland Shire.
In October last year they held the Step Ahead Walk at Cronulla to raise vital funds for headspace Miranda.
Headspace Miranda provides early intervention services to people aged 12 to 25 in the areas of mental, physical and sexual health.
It also provides education in schools, where care is co-ordinated by a youth access team.
The latest fundraising campaign by Ms Turpin's close friend from school, Elise Weller, has so far raised $14,672.
Donations: gofundme.com/lvlraw
It also aims to raise awareness of mental illness.
HELP IS AT HAND
Suicide is the biggest cause of death among youth in Australia. Each year, about one in every five Australians will experience a mental illness.
Mental illnesses are the third leading cause of disability in Australia. Women are more likely than men to seek help.
Lifeline: 131114,
Beyond Blue: 1300224636,
headspace Miranda: 95751500.