by Sam Fiorella | Apr 27, 2015 | Support
One of the battles The Friendship Bench was created to fight is the silence that all too often prevents students suffering with heightened anxiety, loneliness, and depression from seeking the assistance they need. Despite educational institutions investing time and...
by Sam Fiorella | Apr 21, 2015 | News
The Friendship Bench was inspired by my son, Lucas Fiorella. On October 12, 2014, while in his second year of university, Lucas took his own life. The news was a complete shock to our family and friends. Lucas did not show signs of what we would consider “clinical...
by Sam Fiorella | Apr 19, 2015 | Advice
It’s not uncommon for parents to fantasize about their children’s future, especially when they are first born. We wonder about their personalities and how they will develop; we look into their eyes and predict what career they’ll have. We go so far...
by Sam Fiorella | Apr 19, 2015 | Support
“Mr. Fiorella, we’ve found your son. I’m sorry….” After a frantic search for our 19-year-old son, these were the first words shared by the police officer who reported that my son had been found dead, by his own hands. It’s a...
by Sam Fiorella | Apr 19, 2015 | Support
In October 2014, my world was turned upside down. My 19-year-old son succumbed to the illness of depression and took his own life. As many have said previously, this pain is something no parent should have to endure. There are no words to express the depth of the...
