Hi! Welcome to my website. I am so glad you are here!
I am a wife, mother, sister, and daughter living in Richmond, Virginia. I attended the College of Charleston and worked for many years as a public relations executive. I am also a mental health advocate who seeks to inform and create awareness of suicide prevention. I lost my brother to suicide in 2012. Since that time, I have created a website where I write a mental health blog and provide information and resources. I am currently writing a book for suicide survivors.
My brother had been running for public office here in Richmond, Virginia prior to 2012 and he knew everyone. His death was very public. News cameras showed up at his house the day it happened and it was front page news.
I decided shortly after his death that I would not let his story end there. I wanted to be a voice for people suffering and for the people left behind.
I joined the Virginia chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) and sat on both of their boards. I ran a golf tournament for ASFP and did a lot of fundraising supporting their Out of the Darkness walks. I also became a field advocate and lobbied locally for better mental health care and more funding of mental health. I then took my efforts to Washington, DC and lobbied at the federal level. A highlight of the weekend was meeting Rep. Patrick Kennedy and telling him my story. I have stayed active with these organizations and fundraise for the walks each year, and this year also participated in my son’s college fundraising at James Madison University. I also help my local grief center fundraise for suicide support groups and have funded two so far.
In addition to my advocacy, I created a website www.trytomatter.com where I share resources for getting help and a blog on mental health and wellness.
I have had the story of losing my brother published in an anthology called “Nothing but the Truth So Help Me God” and I am working on a book for suicide survivors and a children’s book for caregivers to talk to their children about suicide loss.
In addition to advocacy of mental health, I like to needlepoint, garden, travel, watch my son’s sporting events and play with my golden retrievers Daisy and Rose.
Thanks for joining me on this journey.
Shannon
