It was two years ago that I wrote this article for Richmond Times Dispatch. It took from August to December to write it. It was agonizing. And at the same time, cleansing. The article I thought no one would ever read was trending #1 for weeks because others, like you, read their story in mine.
I wrote this one back in 2014. But the one after Charles’ death was really my coming out party. It was my vow to never be silent again on the subjects no one wanted to talk about. And it was, along with your encouragement, my inspiration to start this blog. I thought, “Hell, I’m just another mom starting a blog after her child dies.” But I had a lot to say.
Five years of silence and suffering was busting at the seams. And eight hundred posts later, I’m still at it. Again, with your encouragement. Note: I did not write the phrase “committed suicide.’ I need to figure out who to contact to get it changed to “died by suicide.”
A journey of agony
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.
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So thankful for your courage in stepping up!
Thank you Leigh. I don’t think I could have done anything else.