Category: Suicide

Asking for some help

Back in the old days, before Charles’ suicide, I owned a digital marketing company called Impression Marketing.

I had a special interest in creative content marketing and ranking well on search engines like Google. So when people put in certain keywords, our clients woule come up first or really close to first. But after Charles death, I just didn’t have the passion for the business any more. So I sold my partnership to a great local business called Webstrategies Inc.

Today, I was emailing Chris back and forth, President and Google partner at Webstrategies. I wanted to know what he … Read more...

You can’t put lipstick on this horror show

I wish I could make it prettier. Make that last five years rosier and the horrific ending less sharp and jagged. I wish I could smooth out the roughness of the phrase, “he killed himself.”

I tell people as gently as possible but it doesn’t matter. It’s always sends a jolt of shock when I tell someone my son died by suicide. And I always feel the stabbing pain when I say it and feel their reaction.

I am sure that’s why some don’t want to say it. Avoid it actually.

I know there’d be a different visceral response to, … Read more...

How do you write your emotionally naked story?

I am often asked the question, “How do I write my story?”

People say they just can’t get started.

Just write from the heart. Write how you feel and just let it pour out without any thought about editing or anything else. That’s when the best happens. And most cleansing. I learned that trick years ago since I had to write for a living (wrote commercials).

You can always edit later.

I don’t believe there is such thing as writer’s block. You just put yourself in that spot where you feel and it will come. Know it will. Be sure … Read more...

I’d silently cry to myself at night

by Timothy Donald

HARP, Heroin Addicts Recovery Program

I can remember suffering from depression, feeling inadequate and unloved at the age of eight. My parents were young– mom was seventeen and dad was nineteen. My mom was a single parent who struggled, worked all the time and did the best she could. But I was pretty much on my own most of the time because she had to work so much. My father did the bare minimum, I barely saw him and most of his love came in the form of a child support check.

At age eight, my father

… Read more...

What did Richard think of my book?

Richard’s beach read was the manuscript about his brother. Andy dog and Uncle Reid are the supporting cast under the tent.

In addition to my first reader, a writer named Susan in Maine, I’m letting some of my family members read the manuscript of my first book. I asked Richard if he wanted to read it. He did. And he started in the car on the drive down to the Outer Banks vacation.

When we arrive in Duck, North Carolina we decide we have to have the legendary crab cakes from Blue Point for lunch. As soon we step … Read more...

I had to get comfortable making others uncomfortable

When I wrote this article in 2014, The Agony of a Child’s Mental Illness, I felt alone and naked on an island.

I was exposing my family’s ugly secret in public.  To have a child not thriving is the last thing a parent wants to admit because it feels like a failure.

I was supremely uncomfortable  sharing that article because I had no idea what the reaction would be. Turns out it was hugely popular and the follow up article after my son’s suicide went viral because others read their story in mine. And while I have become accustomed to … Read more...

Memories of family beach vacations

charles-beach

So this past week, we went to the Outer Banks with my husband’s family—a tradition since 1989. This is where our vacations were spent when my children were growing up and a where a lot of memories live. These are the loved ones about whom my son, Charles, wrote in his rap song, Family Matters.

As I walked down the beach that first morning at low tide, I remembered Charles skim boarding. Getting a running start, he would gracefully slide that board into the shallow water and effortlessly glide across the wet sand like a hover craft. He was … Read more...

I Didn’t Forget Nor Did I Give Up

by Michael Widuch

Note from Anne Moss: Michael is a thoughtful young man who attended a special needs school. He has an anxiety and mood disorder, lives with autism, a sleep disorder, learning disabilities (learning receptive disorder and reading disorder), and has suffered from suicidal thoughts. With a lot of perseverance, he has worked his way up to being a manager at a restaurant and tirelessly helps others.

I do apologize I haven’t appeared been on your website, sending e-mails, making comments, or just being an active part of the “village.”

I disappeared from the “village” since negativity for me … Read more...

How a special needs, ugly zombie cat helped me heal

by Andrea Giannini

I write this as a suicide attempt survivor, an addict in recovery, and a survivor of sibling suicide who also suffered addiction.

There was a point in time where I worked for a company full of empty promises and lacked any kind of empathy. During this time period, I lost my brother, Josh Giannini, to suicide because he could no longer live with his demons.

But this isn’t about Josh; he’s had his moment of fame through this amazing outlet of a blog. This is about the support I received during and after the death and … Read more...

Suicide Prevention event in Kathmandu, Nepal

india

Note from Anne Moss: Narendra Thagunna PhD is a suicide prevention activist in Nepal who has an annual event that I agreed to help him publish last year and repeating that effort this year. Nepal is not a wealthy country but somehow he has found a way to pull this conference together to educate and help the community prevent suicide. 

The School of Psychology Nepal (TSOP Nepal)

Download the flyer

When: 10 September 2018:
World Suicide Prevention Day Activities

Activity 1 – Outdoor Program

1. Walkathon
a. Time: 7am to 8.30 am
b. Route
Kathmandu: Maitighar – Bhadrakali – Shahidgate … Read more...

My son with Asperger’s grieved his brother’s death differently than me

by Ginger Germani

There are an infinite number of ways I miss my son. Today one of those thoughts hit me harder than most….because it is about his brother.

I am the mother of two handsome, witty and funny, young men. You look at them and there is no visual indication of their illness or disability. No reason you would think that either of these two have struggled or continue to. Yet, Austin suffered with depression and anxiety, while Colton fights to find his place in the world with Asperger’s.

As a society, we learn to immediately show compassion for … Read more...

The building where he died

When they said, “I have some sad news. Your son, Charles was found dead this morning in an apartment on Monument Avenue,” my world collapsed. At the same time, I was confused by Monument Avenue.

In Richmond, Virginia, this area is the most prestigious residential avenue, a picturesque neighborhood with million dollar row houses lined along cobblestone streets. It looks like something straight out of a movie.

For a long time, I thought he must’ve been further down that avenue in perhaps a seedier part of that street, although I’m not aware of where that might be. I just assumed … Read more...

How to prepare children to return to school after a suicide loss

This is for those who support children and teens returning to school after the loss of a parent, sibling, grandparent or other close loved one to suicide. I’m not an expert on this so I am redirecting you to the resource that is!

How can parents best help children as they return to school?

One of the primary things parents and caregivers can do is to open a dialogue with children about returning to school. This gives the child an opportunity to express how they’re feeling and any concerns they have.

Returning to School After a Suicide Loss: For Teens

… Read more...

Enjoyed my time in jail

How many can say that?

The men and women in the HARP (Heroin Addiction Recovery Program) at Chesterfield County jail are normal people like you and me. They are sons, daughters. They have aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, and children who are showing signs of addiction. They have a disease called addiction and they volunteered from this program and they desperately want to stay in recovery.

After speaking to the women, to whom I was privileged to address, Sheriff Leonard asked me to speak to the men. So I did!

Men and women told their stories of suicide attempts and regrets … Read more...

Movie Screening: Suicide, the Ripple Effect with Kevin Hines

This screening is in Richmond, VA because that’s where I live. Beacon Tree Foundation, the organization for whom I am currently Exec Director is hosting this.

When: Mon, August 27, 2018
Time: 7:30 PM
Where: Movieland at Boulevard Square, 1301 North Blvd, Richmond, VA
Price: $11.50 (It ends up being $14 with a convenience fee)

The fee requirements have to be met before we can screen the movie and the ticket sales have to be met as well, too. We’d need to sell 61 tickets to be able to screen this film. Beacon Tree is hosting this and we didn’t … Read more...