After Jeremy died, I had to make a decision.  I could either let this destroy me or I could ask God to take my pain and give me some direction.  I chose the later of the two choices.  I began reading everything I could get my hands on to educate myself on the subject of depression and suicide.  I learned that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in college age students.  Over the past 30 years, the suicide rate in young people has more than tripled.  Yet, little is being done to reduce these statistics.  When we send our kids off to college, the schools make sure they are educated on the subject of drugs, alcohol and safe sex, yet no one educates society about depression.

I found out that Jeremy had expressed suicidal thoughts to 2 of his friends over the weekend but they were under the false impression that people who talk about suicide don't normally carry it out.  That is a myth!!!  No one called us!

Depression holds no prejudice.  It affects people from all walks of life.  It is often masked, as apparently was the case with my son.  I now think he may have been suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression.  We'll never know all the circumstances that contributed to his pain.  In his sickness, he found a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  We can't change that.  What we can do is move forward and try to remove the stigma associated with mental illness.  Depression is caused when there is a chemical imbalance in the brain.  When we have symptoms of heart trouble, diabetes, or any other medical condition that causes our body stress, we seek treatment because we are aware of the symptoms.  While the symptoms of depression can be hard to detect, knowledge of these symptoms can raise a red flag. 

Last February, I composed a letter and sent it to all college presidents in the state of Michigan, state representatives, senators, and Governor Granholm.  I have gotten much positive feedback from the letter.  Last Friday I met with State Representative Andy Meisner who has written up a petition to the State Legislature to enact legislation to address the crisis of suicide on college campuses.  He has asked me to call it "Jeremy's Law" if it passes.

I think all college freshmen should be required to take a "college living" class and the subject of depression should be covered so that it can be recognized and help could be sought for these kids.  They can make it a credit class and increase the awareness of this problem.  Had these two friends known to take him seriously, they could have gotten him the help he needed or known to call us.  To sit back and do nothing is simply wrong!

There is no one on this earth that can convince me that I couldn't have changed the outcome of this tragedy had I known a year ago what I know now.  I do not want your sympathy.  I need your help.  Please consider signing the petition and help our efforts to avoid this from happening to other families.  

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dennis (Mary Smolinski) Look

VIEW CITIZEN PETITION FOR JEREMY'S LAW

Our mission is to offer group support and understanding to those who have lost a loved one to suicide and to foster in the community suicide awareness and education so that future acts may be prevented.