Our Story
Amby’s Army was formed after the loss of a daughter, sister, family member and friend to many.
Amberly Jane had what people would say “Had it all!” From intelligence, musicality, personality and looks, yet she struggled greatly and hid it well. The beginning of her journey with Mental Illness presented itself to us, her parents, with Anorexia Nervosa and Chronic Depression along with other Mental Illnesses in 2019 at 14yo. Amberly wore many a mask and self-harmed to ease her pain. She was also very private but a sensitive soul who didn’t want to burden anyone, yet she was always there for others.
Amberly was under the care of a team of specialists at PCH Outpatient clinic for Eating Disorders. These appointments were so hard on Amberly, her anxiety on the day of appointments was always escalated and I’d watch her pick at her nails constantly. She would often sit in the room, head down and tears sitting at the rim of her eyes. Amberly struggled to communicate in these appointments, as we later discovered she had Selective Mutism, another mental illness.
Without Amberly’s ability to communicate it was left to us, her parents to play guess work on how she was doing, or what was troubling her. Weigh-ins and checkups also proved difficult, Amberly refused to change into the gowns, which we later discovered was her way of protecting her self harm wounds and scars, as well as whatever she may have added into a bra or pocket to help add weight. After these appointments, especially in the early days at another clinic , Amberly would be in foetal position and sobbing. Watching your child suffer like this is heartbreaking to say the least and not knowing how to help except lay beside her and let her know she’s not alone. These struggles, appointments and medication were part of Amberly’s life and ours until she ended her life by suicide.
Sunday March 12 2023 is a day we will never forget as it is the day our worlds were shattered with a heartbreak that can’t be described.
Our Mission
Raising the awareness around Youth Mental Health and Youth Suicide Prevention is our mission. We don’t want to see another young person struggle so much as Amberly that the only option to them, is suicide. We want people to know it takes time, support and the right fit of therapist to guide them in their journey and that they aren’t alone, even when they are feeling it.
Since her death by suicide in 2023 at 18yrs & 2months exactly, reading her journals has shone a greater light to her struggles and it highlights the greater need to reach our Youth and encourage them to seek help. To encourage them to know that it’s ok to ask for help and even if you don’t have the words to describe what you are really feeling, start with TWO words – “HELP ME” and the when needing say what’s troubling you, it’s TWO WORDS – I’m Anxious, I’m Sad, I’m Angry, I’m struggling. We also want to continue to help break down the stigma around asking for help and offer information packs to young people or QR codes to our website where they can find Charities / Foundations and Organisations that we have personally visited and approve of. We never knew what was out there when Amberly was struggling and we never had the capacity to look as when you are looking after an ill child, other children and still navigating all the other day to day ins and outs of life, you are surviving. We want to help take the navigation and stress out of the already tough journey. We will also hope to provide helpful techniques on our website to support a young person on their journey.
We will continue to have the F18 music event and hope to one day be able to, with funding put on some free family events. Music was Amberly’s greatest passion and she was truly gifted.
People never know the true devastation that suicide leaves until they hear it firsthand and this might just help another young person make a different choice, to ring a helpline, to seek help and speak up. YOU MATTER and YOU ARE ENOUGH is so important for all to remember.
We hope to grow our charity with support and partake in conversations wherever we go as you never know when it will make a difference. We have already started talking about our story with Jane, Amberly’s mum speaking at the 2025 Telethon Beneficiary Breakfast in front of about 600 people including The Premier of WA, Mr Roger Cook and a lot of influential people who back charities. We have a lot of community support and encouragement and only hope to see this grow. These seem to be positive steps on our journey.
Here’s to moving forward and helping lives.