Nice publicity for the cause. This is regarding a presentation for Mental Health America in Staunton, Virginia.
And my TEDx is not until December 8 but they saw I had been selected as one of the speakers. Read the news story here
The first Christmas after Charles died by suicide, I expected it to be hard. All those firsts are hard–first birthday, mother’s day, father’s day etc. Hell, Arbor Day was hard.
For the second Christmas after Charles’ suicide, I was sure the holidays would be better. After all, the first one happened and I survived. How bad could this second one be?
December 1, 2017, two and a half years after my son’s suicide, slapped me hard and shut me down. My head was a mixing bowl with too many ingredients and it was hard to complete anything with more than … Read more...
When I got the news, my son, Charles, had been found dead of suicide, my first instinct was to find the escape route. I wanted to get the f–k away from that agony and slide into another life that was shiny and happy.
The news the police officer was sharing kept bumping up against a roadblock of disbelief and to cope my mind would take little jaunts from reality and wander down meaningless tributaries of thought to give my soul a break from the weight of the devastating news. Bits and pieces of information floated about screaming their importance with … Read more...
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has Suicide Loss Survivor Days all over the United States. It’s is a day of support and healing. (See video below with Shirley Ramsey and Kevin Skellett)
There are some in other areas outside the US, too: Canada, Australia, Guatemala plus other international locations.
Typically there is a short documentary style film, two speakers, a survivor of suicide loss and someone who talks about grief and how to manage it. There is an opportunity for people to share something about the loved one they lost if you wish and some time to connect … Read more...
by Christine Dudek
There’s something about the light piercing through the clouds at 30,000 feet when I’m lucky enough to get a window seat. It looks like every picture of heaven I’ve ever imagined since I was a little kid and so it makes me feel closer to Tyler.
Flying has gone from the most excruciating stillness to a peaceful experience. It doesn’t matter that it’s all in my head. The illusion or delusion that I’m closer to my boy makes me feel better.
There’s something about a pinstriped uniform with those two interlocking letters (NY) that makes me happy … Read more...
When I decided to go public about Charles‘ drug addiction and suicide, I was terrified. Would he become the “poster child” for those ugly topics? Would everyone think that’s all he stood for? And would I become that mom that no one saw any other way–a mom whose child killed himself?
The voices inside my head encouraging me to speak out overwhelmed the ones trying to make me quiet.
Was I up to living a brand of being emotionally naked? Would I regret it?
Not once did I regret it. But regret reared it’s … Read more...
The Pipehitters Union Motorcycle Club Regulators (PHUMC) had its second annual Ride to Stop Suicide Fundraiser for Beacon Tree Foundation and raised $5,768. Woo hoo!
These guys got the sponsors, the raffle items, set up the ride route and the stops, promoted it among other motorcycle clubs and secured the venue for the start and stop of the ride. This is community support. In other words, they did all the planning and work (our favorite kind of fundraiser).
Proceeds will finance psychological evaluations for children not covered by insurance or medicaid.
I just wanted to show these guys some love … Read more...
I’m working on getting an agent which is the first step to getting my book published. It would help if I have more subscribers because they will want to know if I have a following.
Bigger numbers equal more interest from both agents and publishers.
It might be you have this site bookmarked and you don’t subscribe. I would appreciate it if you did. There is a weekly option and a daily one and I can add bi-monthly if there is demand. Just let me know in the comments.
What’s more, the shares by you guys have reached others … Read more...
This was my second time presenting to this masters in social work class at Virginia Commonwealth University.
What do I teach? Lived experience.
As Charles and our family stumbled through a broken mental health system here in Virginia, we found some of the worst prejudice where it was least expected–the mental health system. Speaking to those who are currently in training is the most effective way to prevent stigma and help those who treat a vulnerable population find compassion and understanding in helping their patients find recovery.
Thank you Julia Rice Stokes for this … Read more...
Tickets are sold out for the TEDx Women’s event in Richmond, VA.
The TEDx team is encouraging individuals, groups and organizations to host viewing parties to watch the LiveStream of TEDxGraceStreetWomen. Hosting a viewing party is your opportunity to rally your community and start conversations, applying the talks to this year’s theme: “Showing Up.” The event will be able to be live-streamed directly from our website. Go to our homepage on the day of the event and view from your computer.
You don’t have to be in Richmond to hold this event. So if you’re up to it, … Read more...
With my husband’s permission, I posted the message he sent after finishing my book. It took him a few months. It was understandably hard for him.
I get it.
Last week there was more editing that needed to be done on the most difficult chapters which involves putting myself in the back of that police car and living it again–hearing the news about Charles’ suicide. The chapters are much better but that came at a cost. The process left me emotionally spent.
Recovery happens more quickly now. And there is healing for having done it. It is my choice to … Read more...
Reporters at some of the largest and most prestigious newspapers in the country don’t use the accepted phrase “died by suicide” instead of the “committed” phrase. But this regional paper got it right. A lot of education for the public in this article.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — In the city’s ongoing effort to educate the community about the dangers of the heroin and opioid epidemic, Colonial Heights put on the fourth act of their Heroin and Opiate summits on Tuesday night.
“Our mission and hope is to one day end the need for events like this one,” said Colonial … Read more...
Dear Sufferer,
I roll in like a slow-moving fog, smother your motivation and sit on your self-esteem like it’s an old comfortable sofa. There may be no particular outside trigger and it might otherwise be a beautiful sunny day.
But inside your head, it’s gray, damp, and miserable.
Heaviness moves in day after day, and managing and enduring life is more of a challenge. When will it stop? When will it go away?
Oh, but I’m not done.
Like a lightning bolt out of the sky, I can strike and bring on a moment of such intense pain, you feel … Read more...
I’ve been about to bust with this news. I’ve applied twice as a TEDx speaker and not made it but this was invitation only. I thought they had all their speakers lined up back in September until someone on the committee surprised me by putting my name in the hat.
It was competitive. But not all about choosing who had a great message because there are so many talented women with important messages we have yet to hear. The balance of subject matter has to be considered. From science to social justice, they want to have a mix of experiences … Read more...
OK. I need your help. Before you answer that question, I want you to know that you guys are the reason this book got written.
For the last three years, you have been asking me, “So when are you going to write a book?” Or, “Anne Moss, you need to write a book.” So I did. And when I needed encouragement to keep going, you guys were my cheerleaders. You are part of this book.
So while I’m not broadcasting the title, I can at least share the title with my tribe.
I’m calling it:
