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The mum of a 15-year-old who is believed to have taken his own life has urged families to tell their children "it's okay not to be okay".

Talented kickboxer Kian Southway died on March 31 days after the start of government lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

A pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, Kian was known by family and friends as a "polite" teenager who thought of everyone, and an "incredible" older brother to sister Darcey.

But his parents Jolene and Julian have told how despite having a "love for life", Kian's mood changed in the space of a few days.

(Image: Jolene Southway)

Jolene Southway, from Treorchy, said: "It was so unexpected, I think we are still in shock. We're numb.

"We need people to know Kian wasn't suffering from mental health issues, he wasn't depressed.

"We need people to know how quickly this happens. I think he literally felt isolated from the world due to this Covid-19.

"Kian loved life. Boris Johnson announced lockdown on the Monday and he was gone by Friday. The gremlin took hold, he kept saying he couldn't wait for it to be over and that he wanted to fast forward it all."

Kian held a black belt in kickboxing and was a former member of WCKA kickboxing club in Rhigos.

A video paying tribute to the teenager has also been made and shared by friends in the Penygraig Rugby Club U16s side, encouraging young people to open up.

The video, which features Kian's friends as well as Porth Harlequins U16s and Wattstown RFU U16s, has been shared more than 1,600 times.

(Image: Jolene Southway)

Jolene said: "Kian was very sociable. He did have an air of shyness but he was very polite. He thought of everybody and anybody and he loved being out and about. He was just amazing.

"He was an immense, incredible big brother to Darcey, he had her back all the time.

"We didn't expect this at all. We constantly talk and we encourage the kids to talk, we don't hide anything.

"Kian knew it's okay not to be okay and he didn't talk. We will never know why."

By speaking out after Kian's death, the teenager's family want to encourage others to talk about their worries and seek support.

Jolene said: "People have been messaging saying their children have done it or attempted to or people have said they have lost people of the same age when they were young.

"You know it's out there but when it doesn't affect you it doesn't hit home. There are gremlins out there and it changes our kids. It has to stop.

"I just need people to talk, I need them to know it's okay not to be okay and that people really really love you and want to talk. There's numbers if you can't talk to loved ones.

"When Kian died, I rang as many parents as I could. People think they can see it coming, they think it comes in patterns.

"We are a family you don't expect this to happen to. Kian had the best life. It destroys people, families, it destroys everything."

Paying tribute to Kian, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda said: "Our school is very sad to lose a very dear member of our family,Kian Southway. Our deepest sympathy goes to his immediate family and those closest to him.

"We shall come together to remember Kian when we can. Until then we hold Kian gently in our thoughts at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda."

A fundraising page has been set up by friends of Kian to support his family during this time and raise awareness of mental health among young people.

You can donate here.

Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org