Ethan’s Story Published by PAPYRUS: Hope Is Not Lost

Ethan Buckett gaming as a child, wearing a headset and holding a controller

21 August 2026

Today, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide published a deeply personal Voices of Hope feature written by Forever 19 founder Michael Buckett about his son, Ethan.

The story begins not with how Ethan died, but with how he lived: his humour, gaming, food, friendships, family and his legendary love of chilli sauce. It goes on to explore grief, the support of family and friends, the memorial football matches, and how those experiences grew into Forever 19.

At the heart of the feature is the reason we keep pushing: to start honest conversations with young people before somebody reaches crisis, and to remind people that it is okay to give the real answer when somebody asks, “How are you?”

“Whatever today feels like, your story doesn’t have to end here. There can be another conversation. Another chance. Another tomorrow. Hope is not lost.”

We are incredibly grateful to PAPYRUS for giving Ethan’s story a platform and helping his name, personality and message reach more people.

Read the full story on the PAPYRUS website

Content note: the PAPYRUS feature contains themes of bereavement and suicide loss.

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