You must be so bored with all my posts about suicide, addiction and mental illness. Why on earth would I continue to assault you with my tirade of posts, presentations and videos about these awful subjects? Why can’t I just get the hell over it? I mean all this shit is not going to bring back my precious son, right?
I lived this insipid system known as the mental health system. Endured criticism, lack of support and humiliation and shame from the people I expected and paid to help us. I lost a child because of it.
Most of you have the luxury of enjoying your living children. Which is how it should be. But we have way too many grieving parents. It’s not even a rare event any more.
Those with trauma, mental illness, addiction are a grossly underserved population. They are jailed, judged and mistreated and they need voices to join them to inspire change. That doesn’t happen with silence. It doesn’t happen by hiding under a rock. It happens by being loud and relentless. Personality traits I’m proud to own.
Dear high and mighty parent
Published by
Anne Moss Rogers
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
The world needs honest, caring, sharing and support to navigate this difficult thing called life. We need to realize our connections and similarities not stick our head in the sand. Thanks putting this in the open. You are giving a voice to our pain.
Thank you Maureen
Anne I for one will never tire of your posts. You bring so much wisdom to us with your thoughts and words and your love for Charles shines brightly through each one. Keep them coming.
You know I’m not sure I would have kept going had it not been for encouragement of the tribe we have here. Thank you Denise.
Anne, I never get tired of hearing about Charles and reading his creative raps. You are helping me and thousands of others who have lost a loved one to suicide, or are dealing with the ravages of a child with addiction and mental illness. Please continue your important work. So many of us need your knowledge and expertise.
Thank you Ann. So much. You have been part of this tribe since the beginning. We’ve made a lot of progress together.
I will never get tired of “ hearing “ about Charles, your LOVE for him, AND the purpose he ignited in you to reveal the ugly truth of suicide. You don’t complain. You, Anne are doing something profound to make changes in improving mental health/ illness; addiction, and awareness that needs to be addressed. It doesn’t just go away. Blessing to you,dear brave soul.
On the contrary – we are proud of you for what you are doing. Thank you, Anne Moss!
I couldn’t offend my own village! We are teaming up to get in the faces of all those others who are not listening!
Loud and relentless… love that. Exactly what is needed to shatter the silence and reach those who most need the support. Keep up the good work, sweet friend!
Part of my charm!
The conversation is depressing and uncomfortable to someone that cannot relate. That is why your voice and your message is so important. It is not so much to speak to those that can relate but to raise awareness to those that cannot. This will not only help change the stigma it may also provide someone insight to someone who may just be starting down this path. There is no one solution but knowing the potential outcome may allow them to act much sooner and reading your post may allow them to avoid the Mental Health treatment obstacles you encountered. God Bless and keep fighting!
You and I are OK with being uncomfortable. I have never minded it. Thank you Don. You are a fellow warrior
I for one am grateful that you have the strength and open heart to share your personal experience. Many lives have been helped and saved! People need to know the truth about our current mental health and criminal justice system.
Right back at you Judy. You’ve gotten together your strength to fight for Drew. So proud of you