Idea born from tragedy
Teen’s amazing work to prevent youth suicide
“HEY Mitch, I’m not sure if you know yet, but Tor suicided on Sunday and was in hospital in a critical condition due to the swelling on his brain. He passed away last night in hospital. Just thought you deserved to know if you hadn’t been told already.”
This was the devastating Facebook message Warwick teenager, Mitchell Ford, woke to on November 2, 2016 and was the catalyst for an idea that would make him an ambassador for Australia’s largest youth mental health organisation.
Six months ago Mr Ford launched PRVT, which is short for prevention, a clothing brand designed to help prevent youth suicide.
Since then there have been many times where he has reflected on the days following the death of one of his closest friends.
“I began crying uncontrollably for hours, crying myself to sleep, crying in my sleep and waking up crying,” he said.
“The days and weeks following his suicide I felt empty. I began to feel angry at him and myself.”
When a second friend, Amy “Dolly” Everett also died by suicide earlier this year, Mr Ford decided something had to happen.
The idea inspired a simple tshirt design featuring the PRVT logo and which he hoped would spark a conversation and reduce stigma around mental health.
‘‘ THE DAYS AND WEEKS FOLLOWING HIS SUICIDE I FELT EMPTY. MITCHELL FORD
“I did it to push the message that you’re not alone,” he said.
“You can be helped and having a mental illness doesn’t make you crazy or weird.”
But when he decided to donate the profits from his first sales to headspace in Warwick, Mr Ford made a big impression.
Executives at headspace national soon decided to make him an official ambassador for the Australia-wide youth mental health organisation.
“We were extremely impressed with his level of motivation,” Mr Maguire said.
“It is a simple brand and a simple message but it’s effective.”
From creating the website to designing shirts, 18-year-old Mitchell built PRVT Apparel from scratch.
He has since seen orders come in from all around Australia.
You can find out more about Mitchell’s story and PRVT Apparel here by visiting the website.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.