Talk On Suicide Marks Tragedy's 1st Anniversary

MOUNT PLEASANT, NY — Suzanne Bartlett lost her son Peter to suicide a year ago this week. Now, "The truth is I don't have time for cancer," says the woman fighting breast and ovarian cancer.

Bartlett works at Blythedale Children's Hospital, which has embraced her drive to help educate doctors and the public about suicide. "When I do something in his name I feel like he's helping other people. It's is one of the things that keeps me going."

After creating a Suicide Prevention Screening and Risk Assessment Safety Plan for itself, the hospital is expanding the initiative, marking Mental Health Awareness Month with the start of a series of educational programs for staff, clinicians, parents and community members on the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and how to prevent it.

The first program, “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention," will be presented by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at the hospital at 12 p.m. Wednesday.

It will be introduced by Bartlett, Blythedale’s Director of Employee Health, PALS and BLS. The Thornwood resident will speak about the heartbreaking loss of her 25-year-old son to suicide exactly one year ago, to the day; about his struggles with mental illness; and about the stigmas about mental illness and suicide.

"He was so brave because every day was so tough," she said. "There are so many people that suffer from mental illness. But people don't want to talk about it and they don't want to talk about suicide."

It's not just the wider community, but the health system. The family had trouble even finding a doctor when Peter, who was taking medication for depression, was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in his early 20s. "They told him when you get a psychiatrist don't tell them you attempted suicide because they won't take you," she said. And he was worried because he was about to turn 26, when he would age out of being covered by her health care plan.

When it comes to mental health, "People don't understand. I have two stage four cancers and people feel sorry for me," she said. "But every person matters. And my son Peter matters."

Bartlett wants to keep expanding this new educational initiative, training clinicians and other people in positions to recognize and deal with suicide factors with children and adults. For example, she hopes to involve local schools. New York's new rules mandate mental health education in the public schools, but there isn't yet a curriculum, she points out. Anyone seeking information for future classes can email her at sbartlett@blythedale.org.

This workshop is just the beginning.

"That's how I'm starting the anniversary. I think it's the only way I'll get through the day," she said.

Learn more about her emotional journey here.