Sonya Oliver-Scoble
“When memories are all you have,
they all become the most beautiful.
Everything from the first time I held him
to our very last goodbye.”
Talking about her son’s suicide
is one of the hardest challenges
Sonya Oliver-Scoble regularly
faces, but she knows that by sharing
her story and reducing the stigma
surrounding mental illness, she may
just stop another family having to live
through the pain and grief she endures.
Her son, Aiden, was a bright, quickwitted
20-year-old. He studied
Information Technology at University,
he worked part-time and enjoyed Muay
Thai kickboxing. He had a great bunch
of mates, a supportive family who loved
him and he enjoyed spending time in
the outdoors. These are important to
know, because from the outside looking
in, Aiden had a great life with all the
promise in the world for an exciting
future. But mental illness doesn’t
discriminate.
He was diagnosed with anxiety and
depression only seven months before he
took his own life.
Sonya talks about how important it
is to seek help and utilise community
resources when faced with a mental
health diagnosis.
“Seek help early, that’s my biggest piece
of advice. Talk openly about mental
health, develop good techniques for
positive thinking and mindfulness.
Complete the Safe Talk and mental
health first aid courses available in
Mackay and educate yourself on
the signs and symptoms as much as
possible. Never be afraid to ask the
difficult questions and talk to your GP as
openly as you would when you have a
physical ailment.
“Losing Aiden and learning to live after
the loss of my first born is the most
difficult thing I have ever faced. His
siblings have lost a big part of their
lives, he was not only their big brother,
protector and an inspirational figure but
a great mate. I don’t want another family
to live through that pain,” she said.
Sonya believes that Aiden felt like he
was unable to reach out and talk about
what he was going through. Through her
business, MAD Cow Coffee, she wants
to offer support and a listening ear to
anyone who may ever find themselves in
that situation.
“I wanted to raise awareness and
openly tell our story to reduce the
stigma surrounding mental illness and
suicide. The support given to me by a
great bunch of MAD Cows (mountain
biking mums who competed in a 12-
hour mountain bike race together) was
invaluable to me during Aiden’s battle
with his mental illness and after his
passing. My herd provides me with much
support, this was the inspiration behind
MAD Cow Coffee.
“Aiden was a lover of coffee and would
open up and chat over coffee. I want
to be able to help others navigate
the resources available and start the
important conversations,” she said.
MAD Cow Coffee has a profit-forpurpose
business model, supporting the
local community and local farmers. They
are also a Grapevine ‘help-a-mate’ hub.
Q&A WITH SONYA
Do you have an important meaning
behind a tattoo?
“I have ‘Aiden’ with a butterfly. I got
this after Aiden passed, as tattoos are
forever, as is the memory of him.”
If you or anyone you know is in
need of crisis support contact
Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, Kids
Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or visit
Beyondblue.org.au. If in risk of
immediate harm, dial 000.
