Stories about Child Loss
Through Volunteering, I Gave Myself Permission to Keep Living
In 2018, Karen Carreira’s teenage son Nathan died by suicide two weeks after his 15th birthday. She has since leveraged her 25-year career in human services to become a proud proponent of education and advocacy for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, with a particular focus on youth mental health.
Julie’s Spirit Is With Me in My Advocacy
Rick Townsend is a psychologist and professor who has long been active in mental health advocacy. Julia, his daughter, experienced a severe episode of depression that resulted in her suicide. Six years later, in addition to bringing more Community Walks to his area, Rick has become a Volunteer Advocate for AFSP.
Losing a Child to Suicide Rattled My Beliefs. Connecting With Others Brought Solace.
Bridget McCarthy lost her son Riley in 2020, two weeks after his 16th birthday, during the height of lockdown. Devastated by Riley’s death and determined to make a difference, Bridget organized her own Walk with homemade signs and sponsorship from 16 local businesses, raising $13,655 for AFSP.
Bringing Hope to Other Loss Survivors Has Helped Me Heal
In 2008, at the age of 20, Judy Battista’s son Daniel died by suicide. Met with love and support from her community, she was invited to an Out of the Darkness Walk. Later that year, she attended her first International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (also known as Survivor Day) event and began volunteering for AFSP.
In Tom’s Light: Addressing the Intersection of Opioids and Suicide
Opioid use disorder and suicide prevention are two topics that have immense personal meaning for me. As I wrote in a previous blog for AFSP, my son Tom passed away on Friday, September 30th, 2016, after losing his long battle with depression; he died of a heroin overdose.
I Am Still Elana's Mom
Like many people who are suicide loss survivors or who have lived experience, I find that devoting myself to suicide prevention work sustains me. I continue my connection with Elana in everything I do for AFSP. I am still Elana’s mom.
One Foot in Front of the Other: Training for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Overnight Walk in Memory of Our Son
On November 27, 2001, my wife Mary Anne and I were notified that our son Matthew had died by suicide. After months of trying desperately to find our way, we heard about a new event sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk.