Stories about Child Loss
“I’m Sorry, I Have to Ask These Questions": Normalizing Questions about Suicide in Health Care and Beyond
Suicide risk assessments shouldn’t be treated as awkward requirements to quickly power through. They are opportunities to connect, listen, and maybe, just maybe, reach someone who is silently struggling. The tone we use, the language we choose, and the attitude we bring to these questions matter more than we realize.
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.
Making College Campuses Safer From Suicide
Suicide is one of the most common causes of death among U.S. college students. Each year, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide. 1,100 students do not survive their crisis, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among U.S. college students. Yet research shows that suicide is often preventable.
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.
Supporting Suicide Prevention Policy at Washington State Capitol Day
When our 15-year-old daughter, Nina, died by suicide in September 2016, my wife Dawn and I could have hidden the cause of her death and remained silent. Instead, we chose to bring our story out of the darkness to help others.
9 Suggestions for Other Parents Who Have Lost a Child to Suicide
For other parents who have lost a child to suicide, here are nine suggestions I’d like to share.