Normalizing the conversation surrounding suicide: Survivors, counselors raise awareness during Suicide Prevention Month
MISSOURI(KBSI) – Blake Crowson: A gifted drummer, a gentle spirit, a son, a brother, a friend.
That’s how his mother Tamatha Crowson remembers him, saying she never thought she’d lose him to suicide.
“He was magical. Of course, anytime something like that happens it is a real trauma and just shakes the core of who you are. It has impacted not only family and friends but so many people,” she said.
Crowson recalls it was just after the start of the pandemic.
Blake was preparing to graduate and awarded a full ride scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University.
Signs he was struggling were subtle, she says but she remembers he was becoming distracted, and she noticed his personality and habits also changing.
“It’s hard for me to not have a lot of guilt over this, but one thing we have to remember is that we all do the best we can with the information we have but we often have more information than we realize,” said Crowson.
She says a couple of days before his death he had a text conversation with his ex-girlfriend. He told her he was a horrible person, and he described ways he considered ending his life… something Tamatha says is still a mystery and a shock that he followed thru.
“Because Blake was so accomplished and so mature and so smart, and he just had so much going for him it never crossed my mind that this would ever happen,” she said.
She bravely shares her story, hoping somehow it can spare someone else the pain of losing a loved one.
“When I was growing up there wasn’t a lot of talk about suicide that is why I think I was so blind to it,” said Tamatha.
She speaks out as Heather Williams and Rick Strait with the Community Counseling Center ask the community to come together in honor of Suicide Prevention Month.
“This month is one we set aside to get people to learn about suicide prevention and become more aware of it,” said Strait.
They share stories about the transformational power of listening highlighting the story of Kevin Briggs, a retired California Highway Patrol officer, and Kevin Berthia, a suicide survivor.
In 2005, Sergeant Briggs’ act of listening prevented Berthia from taking his own life.
“He allowed me to come and speak with him we just chatted, having a conversation back and forth,” said Briggs.
Briggs and Berthia now share a powerful bond and a lifelong commitment to normalize conversations surrounding suicide.
Williams and Strait hope their story inspires others to listen with empathy and offer support to those struggling with suicidal thoughts.
“Being able to just listen to someone and hold on to some of that pain and confusion for that time period, it allows for it not to be so heavy for them,” said Williams.
As for Crowson she encourages others to pay attention to their loved ones without judgement.
She says she’d give anything to tell Blake one more time how much she loves him and how proud she still is of him.
She finds comfort in looking at the tattoo she shared with her son Blake still reminding her to breathe.
“It’s easy to look at a person’s outside and imagine how they think and feel on the inside,” said Crowson.
She has advice for other parents.
“One thing I will say is if your child mentions anything take it seriously. Had I had the information that I have right now I would’ve seen those signs,” said Crowson.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, there is help available.
You can contact the suicide and crisis hotline 24 hours a day at 988.
Watch the full interview with Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia:
- Website: https://www.cccntr.com/
- Facebook: facebook.com/CCCNTR
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsJTz5kbds
