Signs of Suicide, Depression Focus of Kirkwood Talk

The following information comes from a press release submitted to Kirkwood Patch. 

A newly formed Kirkwood organization, Peer2Peer (P2P) Alliance, is sponsoring a depression and suicide awareness event at Tuesday. 

Marian McCord, founder of Chad’s Coalition, an agency working to increase awareness and prevention of adolescent depression and suicide, will speak about the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide at 7 p.m.

In 2006, Marian and Larry McCord created Chad’s Coalition in honor of their son, Chad, who committed suicide in 2004 at the age of 18.

Following his diagnosis of depression in 2003, Chad’s goal was to bring the topic of mental health to the forefront so those who suffered from depression and other mental health issues could speak freely about it.

Before his death, he insightfully commented, “If I had cancer, students would rally around me and make posters and give me a hero’s welcome when I came back to school. But since I have a mental illness, the students will shy away from me. They will think I’m weird and not want to be around me.”

Chad’s parents took on his mission since his death, creating Chad’s Coalition and raising awareness with both students and parents about depression and suicide.

Parents and families are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Tracy Deck at tracydeck@sbcglobal.net or Gina Marten at ginamarten20@gmail.com.