ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A few weeks ago, 5 On Your Side shared a story about the Don’t Give Up signs popping up in the Webster Groves area.
The signs are part of an anti-suicide awareness campaign that started in Oregon years ago. After our story aired, we learned who brought the signs to St. Louis and the young man they're in memory of.
From the outside it seemed Nic Branson had it all together. His mom Lisa Vaughan and aunt Marissa Barbeau explained how much he was involved in.
"He was a self-taught pianist," said Vaughan. "He taught himself the guitar. He sang, he did standup comedy, he was in the gifted program at school. He was in all-state in football and he has some records that I don’t think have been broken yet for Francis Howell."
But on the inside, he was an entirely different person.
"He had the person that he put on for other people and that was his persona. He was a comedian basically," Vaughan said.
Vaughan said Branson struggled with depression and an eating disorder. He was getting help when he took his life on New Years Day in 2019.
He was 25 years old.
"I just started screaming," Vaughan said.
"I've never heard anything like that," said Barbeau, her sister.
The impact of his loss has been immense and extremely difficult on the entire family.
"After this happened, we all felt so powerless," Vaughan said.
When Barbeau found the 'don't give up sign movement,' she knew it was the best way to honor Branson.
"If his death will somehow bring awareness and save someone else’s son, then I want to help that person," Barbeau said.
It took off. Since January, Barbeau has sold close to 200 signs -- most of them in the Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and Glendale areas. She has sold close to 50 where she lives in O’Fallon, Missouri
So many people have been touched by the messages, sharing their own personal stories.
Barbeau explained the messages she’s received from total strangers.
"More than anything, it’s like this issue, this problem is not unique to our family," she said. "I think that’s what’s so devastating about this is that so many people are suffering."
The biggest thing Vaughan and Barbeau want people to take from this is to not be afraid to talk to your loved ones about their depression and mental health. Let them know there is hope and to not give up.
Barbeau said she never brought it up with Branson at the time because she didn’t want to make him feel bad.
"I didn't say anything and I feel bad about that. I wish that I could go back and do that differently. But if I can do that now then I’m going to do it," she said.
For more info on the signs and how you can join the movement, click here.
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