July is Bereaved Parents Month, which, speaking from experience, is something those who have lost a child wish to ignore. Counterintuitive, I know. The reality is that such campaigns tend to ignite physical and emotional reactions in bereaved parents that we would...
We’ve often shared the statistic reported by many organizations and government agencies that some 50% of those suffering with depression remain silent about their struggles, and so it’s no wonder that suicide seems to be the only way out to some. If we don’t have the...
One of the most inspiring parts of being involved with The Friendship Bench is seeing how other students are coming together to help and support their fellow students, whether they're on the same campus or further afield. One such example is the MRK634 course at...
At The Friendship Bench, part of our goal is to raise awareness of youth and teen mental health issues that can lead to suicide, including stress, anxiety, and depression, and to help remove the stigma around it. In addition to the various programs we will be putting...
NOTE: This is a blog post that originally appeared on Listverse. Note that in nearly every case, there was a complete stranger ready to help, whether it was in-person, online, or using social media. This is in keeping with the spirit of The...
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...
"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 phrase that will forever be etched...
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...