Category: Suicide

Autistic son abused by the criminal justice system

By Judy Harrison

We all know the devastating effects of bullying. Anti-bullying campaigns are everywhere. My son, Drew fell victim to a different kind of bullying, what I refer to as “judicial bullying.” Those who are supposed to protect and defend; who are sworn to uphold justice became the bullies who caused our son to try to end his life.

Judicial bullying is tolerated under the guise of protecting our community from “criminals.” Often these so-called criminals are young people with a mental health issue who need help, treatment and guidance. Virginia ranks 36 out of 50 states for assistance … Read more...

By the way…

You can have hours of conversation but often the really good stuff is tucked away in the, “by the way.”

All previous conversation is about vetting you to see if you can be trusted. To get comfortable with you. To decide how to tell you or whether to tell you at all. Or working up the nerve to figure out how and when to tell you.

Charles would tuck a lot of nuggets in the “by the way.” Friends of mine have often tucked some real zingers in that phrase.

So be patient.

If your gut is telling you something … Read more...

My purpose found me

I’d like to thank Brad Neff for his video skills. He’s been to a number of presentations and taken video and to have someone I can count on like Brad is priceless. Thank you Brad for putting this together.

AnneMoss.com from Brad Neff on Vimeo.

Dear cold, cruel world,
… Read more...

Is my story is too ugly?

Not too long ago someone said to me, “I would have you speak but we decided on a more uplifting story–someone in recovery.”

I think it’s great to feature someone else’s inspiring story of recovery. I applaud that and I enjoy those stories, too. But not at the expense of implying that my family’s story about Charles is too ugly to share. That it’s unworthy. I never leave an audience with no hope even though I lost the most precious thing in the world to me.

No one fights harder for change than those of us who’ve lost our child … Read more...

Take the Quiz: Suicide Myth or Fact?

1. Myth or Fact? Those who threaten suicide are just trying to get attention

Answer: Myth

Fact: Most of the time, they are trying to tell you they are suffering from suicidal thoughts. Sufferers often feel helpless and afraid. The only way to get help is to get attention. How else would you do it?

2. Myth or Fact? People who die by suicide usually talk about it first

Answer: Fact

Fact: There are almost always warning signs when a person is having thoughts of suicide – someone talking about suicide is perhaps the most recognizable. Talking about death … Read more...

What is it like to suffer from addiction?

by Missy S.

From Anne Moss: Missy is a friend from way back. She had surgery and became unwittingly addicted to the pain medication prescribed. There were many years of shame and humiliation and I recall how terrible I felt for her–especially after Charles’ death. I knew her family was suffering and the added shame and gossip made it that much harder. While I didn’t suffer addiction, Charles did, and I felt that judgement by association. She is in recovery. Thanks to the love of her family, who never abandoned her. 

For so many years addiction and depression has been … Read more...

I need testimonials

keynote speaker mental health

I am going to apply at some speaker’s bureaus. Hopefully, next year I’ll get some paid speaking gigs so I can continue my advocacy work.  Because I can’t afford to retire yet and need to make a living.

For my applications, I need quotes from people who’ve seen me speak.

I really hate to ask this. But if you’ve seen me, I would love some feedback and quotes in your words. You can comment below or send a message. Thank you.

 
Speaker
… Read more...

Grief over loss of a child can tear a family apart

by Lloyd Braswell

Matthew Braswell

My story is long and has lots of painful components.

My daughter, Kaitlin was born with special needs that were never diagnosed and she lived only thriteen months. I thought her death would be my greatest pain. It was devastating, but my son’s death was even harder.

I am a pastor.  My family and I lived in Durham, NC where I served a church for twelve years before I was called to a church near Richmond, VA. At that time my oldest son, Matthew, was beginning his senior year in high school. Our son … Read more...

CareTalks Presentation Video

8 minutes

I am so grateful to have a community partner like McShin Foundation and I’m honored to have been invited to present at the Care Talks event focused on solutions for addiction.

I am still quite hoarse from gamma knife radiation (voice slowly improving) in this video and struggling at times to get sentences out above a whisper. But I got it done! Thank you Tim Alexander and team for shooting the videos.

See other inspirational Care Talks here.

Transcript

I had hoped to be standing before you today telling you about my success story, Charles.

But 2 years … Read more...

WTVR story on suicide prevention

See the write up and video on WTVR. Thank you WTVR and Laura French for sharing and airing this story.

So I went back to Cosby High School to speak to the parents about suicide prevention. It’s only the second time I’ve been back to Cosby since my oldest child graduated. Last year I spoke to the health science students on my story. That presentation to teens is very different. More video. More stories. And an interactive exercise at the end that the teens really like.

But tonight was for the parents. I walked the halls Charles walked. I stood … Read more...

How I keep myself safe

by Jamie Smith

If you know me, you know that I’ve only shown you what I want you to see, mostly happy stuff with some dark stuff sprinkled in, but not too much. And only a little a time.

Sometimes my feelings are so heavy that it is hard to breathe. During these times, I may try to reach out by text, phone or email.

It may not be clear by words that this is what I’m doing, but after some small talk, I may bring up something deeper. Please know this is huge for me as my natural tendency … Read more...

Out of the Darkness Walk Richmond 2017

The Out of the Darkness walk was so moving. So powerful. It’s a day I got to celebrate Charles’ life with friends and 1,000 other people.

I was not a great fundraiser this year, asking way at the last minute but many of you came through for me and we made our team goal. So thank you for that. Emma kicked butt by raising $500! My friend Amy felt dropped $25 on each of my teammates that had $0.

Some mentioned the Bliley’s tents. But I do want the Out of the Darkness attendees to understand that Bliley’s was a … Read more...

Be emotionally naked. And wear it out!

Emotionally Naked T-Shirts. Unisex, Women’s shaped shirts, sweath shirts, long sleeved shirts. Gray, white, light blue. All sizes xxs-3XL

Check out the edgiest t-shirt with the coolest vibe ever! Made of homespun soft cotton sewn with love by cute little old ladies in Kansas. OK that last part might be a tad exaggerated except for the soft part. Richard, my oldest, chose the quote on the back. And he said he is going to wear it out in California where a cool vibe is More important than food and water.

Our village is growing. In fact, we’ve had over a … Read more...

What happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas

 

What happened in Vegas affected all of us. Worst of all, 58+ families from the US are dealing with the worst possible news. Hundreds more are recovering from stampede injuries and assault weapon wounds.

I thought about the famous advertising line today, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” and the kind of culture that creates–one that’s ideal for an unassuming retired accountant to turn into the deadliest mass shooter in US history. The perfect place to formulate a deadly plan where no one would ask questions.

I don’t know that the 64-year-old man, Stephen Paddock, who opened fire … Read more...

My deepest regret

I know in Charles’ final hour, he felt abandoned.

Heroin is not a party drug. It’s a loner drug. The solitary nature of the drug is so counterintuitive to Charles’ outgoing personality. It does not make you a fun person or one that everyone wants to be around. Just the opposite.

When Charles called me,  I was his last shred of hope in an effort to save himself. His mother. I can still hear the despair in his voice. I think he left this earth thinking we abandoned him because he was addicted to heroin. I hope he knew we … Read more...