Manahawkin Mom Raising Suicide Awareness, Hosting Son's Birthday Bash

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — When James Peterson was 15 years old, he lost his battle with depression and died by suicide. Now his mother, Jennifer, wants to honor his memory and raise awareness for suicide by celebrating his birthday in May.

"I do this to celebrate my son and to give others a way to talk about suicide and the implications it has," Peterson told Patch. She hosts this every year on May 28, James' birthday.

"James suicide awareness birthday bash!" is the Facebook event Peterson created to celebrate her son and, at the same time, start conversations about the increase in suicides nationwide.

"I want to end people using suicide references as a joke," Peterson said. "I want people to recognize that people who you perceive to be happy might need help. I want people to think before they speak or before they do something and be kinder to each other."

Peterson said that ever since James was little, his birthday would be celebrated by having a brownie, cupcake, cookie or piece of cake in bed for breakfast. Now, she wants everyone to have a treat for breakfast as a way to remember and honor her son.

"Post your treat picture or one of you eating the treat in this event. Bring them to work or your barbecue and share with friends. Spread awareness," Peterson wrote in the event description. "People don't know until they are told just how high suicide rates are."

She said she thinks sharing these treats is a way to encourage age appropriate conversations about suicide. "Cake makes everyone happy," Peterson said. "Especially young kids."

Peterson's goal is to educate everyone on suicide and how it can be prevented. "Suicide is not a joke, it's an epidemic. Making suicidal references or dismissing someone who does can have devastating consequences," Peterson said. "If you think someone needs help, do something. Call them, invite them for coffee. At a minimum be nice or call someone who will do those things if you cannot. Please do not ignore them. You might be the reason they live."

But most of all, Peterson wants her beloved son to be remembered.

"My son's name is James," Peterson said. "I also want everyone in the whole world to know his name."

According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, these are the warning signs for suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die.
• Looking for a way to kill oneself.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.

If you need help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. NJ residents can call the NJ Hopeline at 1-855-654-6735. You can also text NJ to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support.