February 14, 2024 will be 5 years since we lost our 15 year-old to suicide. I have walked that corridor and will for the rest of my life. Walking that corridor I have found some doors welcoming and others that don't open, my experience as a father and survivor has challenged me to sometimes push that door open. It is critical that we advocate and redesign the system of care, what we are doing is failing our children, we need to listen to them, value what they have to say and put our egos aside to make those paradigm shifts in approach. When a child loses hope and thinks suicide is the answer, we have failed them. Something needs to change and I am the voice of my child.
February 14, 2024 will be 5 years since we lost our 15 year-old to suicide. I have walked that corridor and will for the rest of my life. Walking that corridor I have found some doors welcoming and others that don't open, my experience as a father and survivor has challenged me to sometimes push that door open. It is critical that we advocate and redesign the system of care, what we are doing is failing our children, we need to listen to them, value what they have to say and put our egos aside to make those paradigm shifts in approach. When a child loses hope and thinks suicide is the answer, we have failed them. Something needs to change and I am the voice of my child.