Tonight at the Beacon Tree Trees of Hope event, we’ll dedicate an engraved brick to the meditation garden at Byrd Park in Charles’ name. It’s been 11 months since Charles died by suicide.
This brick isn’t just a memorial, it’s an investment in hope. My purpose for the last 6 years and going forward is to help children with mental illness get the emotional and financial support they need so that no other parent has to stand in the shoes I stand in now. That’s the only way my own heart can heal.
I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief.
As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory.
Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.
View all posts by Anne Moss Rogers
4 thoughts on “Dedicated Heart – #griefheart number 26”
May 14th will be the 2nd year since our son, Daniel Rafferty, died of a Fentanyl overdose. Our family battled his drug addiction for 7 years. We spent Mother’s Day 2014 with him. It was my last really good day. Mother’s Days are hard now. Being with family is hard now. There is always a piece that’s missing.
So my husband & I have started going to church in the Northside. We are getting to know some of the homeless folks & the people who wander in from the Chamberlyn Group homes. We are also sharing everything we can regarding addiction. Not exactly sure what we can do to make a difference in their lives right now but are exploring the systems to see what can be done. It helps ease the pain a little.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have yet to find a grief support group for parents/families who have lost their loved ones to addiction in Richmond. Thank you for your blog- Reading it helps me.
Teri – I am so sorry. You know I know how you feel. The 2016 Mother’s Day is my first since Charles suicide. Giving back is crucial for filling that hole in your heart. I’ve been a mental health advocate for 6 years with Beacon Tree Foundation. As far as a support group, I discussed that recently with Tom Bannard of VCU Rams in Recovery. I mentioned Grief Circle. I bet if you called them, they might spearhead a group for mothers of overdose. I think that JHW Foundation might also spearhead one. One of the moms who posts comments here and lives in Midlothian just created a Meetup for her son so that’s an option. I do think there is a need. You are not the first one to mention a support
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May 14th will be the 2nd year since our son, Daniel Rafferty, died of a Fentanyl overdose. Our family battled his drug addiction for 7 years. We spent Mother’s Day 2014 with him. It was my last really good day. Mother’s Days are hard now. Being with family is hard now. There is always a piece that’s missing.
So my husband & I have started going to church in the Northside. We are getting to know some of the homeless folks & the people who wander in from the Chamberlyn Group homes. We are also sharing everything we can regarding addiction. Not exactly sure what we can do to make a difference in their lives right now but are exploring the systems to see what can be done. It helps ease the pain a little.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have yet to find a grief support group for parents/families who have lost their loved ones to addiction in Richmond. Thank you for your blog- Reading it helps me.
Teri – I am so sorry. You know I know how you feel. The 2016 Mother’s Day is my first since Charles suicide. Giving back is crucial for filling that hole in your heart. I’ve been a mental health advocate for 6 years with Beacon Tree Foundation. As far as a support group, I discussed that recently with Tom Bannard of VCU Rams in Recovery. I mentioned Grief Circle. I bet if you called them, they might spearhead a group for mothers of overdose. I think that JHW Foundation might also spearhead one. One of the moms who posts comments here and lives in Midlothian just created a Meetup for her son so that’s an option. I do think there is a need. You are not the first one to mention a support
Thank you for the suggestions.
Do you have the name of the Mom & her Meetup?
Here is the group she started for depressed teens. http://www.meetup.ddkbook.com/Chesterfield-Teen-Depression-Social-Group/events/230448854/ Mary Ellen is the mom’s name. You can probably contact her through meetup if you are a member or if you join. Or I can email you her info.