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The mum of a teen thought to have taken his own life during the lockdown in the UK has urged families to tell their kids "it's okay not to be okay".

Talented 15-year-old kickboxer Kian Southway died on March 31 at his home in Wales days after the start of the government's coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

The schoolboy 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 have told how they think he felt 'isolated from the world' due to the Covid-19 lockdown, reports Wales Online.

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

(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

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.

(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

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.

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.

(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"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, his school 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.

If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123.

Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org if you'd prefer to write down how you feel.