This griefheart is in honor of Mark Thomas Skellett, 21, who died by suicide just 14 days after his birthday in Richmond, Virginia.
From Denise Fiato, his mother
“Mark gave to everyone no matter what. He had a love of books and animals. My friends enjoyed talking with him because he spoke eloquently, and could talk about any subject.
HIs love for animals had gone too far when he came home with 2 pet rats. EEEEKKKKK
He was a very kind soul who thrived on helping others no matter their situation. He was well liked and had many many friends. His funeral was standing room only with the amount of friends he had.
They even had to stand in the lobby because there wasn’t enough room in the chapel of the funeral home where I had his service. I was amazed of all the people he had touched in one way or another.”
I am an emotionally naked TEDx 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 substance use disorder 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, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, 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.
Professional Speaker Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.
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