IAN Boyd was a lively and popular young man. Last November, aged 19, he took his own life.

It was just 10 days before his 20th birthday.

Ian's death devastated his family. As well as grieving for Ian, his mum Lorraine, dad Eric and sister Kirsty had to deal with the shock associated with the sudden nature of his death and with the many unanswered questions suicide inevitably leaves behind.

It didn't take long for Lorraine to discover that there was a stigma attached to suicide and, ever since Ian's death, she's been working to help highlight the extent of the suicide problem in Northern Ireland and to help others who have been affected by it.

"With the support of family and friends, Lorraine has set up 'The Ian Boyd Society'.

Lorraine has set up an office at the Community House in Ballykeel II, which is available to anyone who feels the need to talk about their grief or if they are having suicidal thoughts. Relaxed and informal, it's a homely setting where you can talk without feeling under pressure or intimidated.

"We've tried to make it as comfortable as possible," said Lorraine.

"In our opinion, when we lost Ian there was not much help available to us and we just want to be here for anyone who needs us.

She said: "We are here for anybody who is experiencing the trauma of losing someone through suicide or the prevention of suicide.

"We all have to accept that suicide is an evergrowing problem, not only in Northern Ireland but worldwide.

"That's why we all have to do our bit in the prevention of suicide.

"There can't be the stigma about suicide that people are ashamed of it, or even sweep it under the carpet thinking 'it will never happen to us'.

"We thought that and we were wrong.

"We were a happy normal family with out disagreements but we never thought we would lose our only son to suicide, but we did, and it has changed everything about us.

"We are still dealing with the loss of Ian, especially as the first anniversary of his death is coming up. He would have been 21 on November 13 and we will be celebrating his life on that day.

"Anyone who has suffered a loss will understand what we are going through. And we understand what anyone who loses someone to suicide is going through. That's why we want to help and why we had to start this group in Ian's name.

"We don't receive any funding through statutory bodies and we would like thank all those who have supported the society financially thorughout the year.

"If we can stop another person taking their own life or help someone who is grieving for a loved one, then we know we are doing something good.

" I would urge anybody to seek help if they need it. They can contact me on 07980 559705 or my husband Eric on 07759 951313 any time, day or night."