Preventing Teen Tragedy is now a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Public Charity organization!!

We filed for incorporation on May 3rd for PTT. (Preventing Teen Tragedy and for adults as well) The mission is to reduce trauma, stigma, and struggle to the individuals and families affected by mental illness and or epilepsy. We live in Northeastern, Connecticut. We know people all over the United States and a few other countries. Sam was known as well. Anna is also very well known. Both of these very common conditions affect both the individual and their families. This is why we are trying to work for both conditions. It is our desire to assist with information, support, and teaching advocacy in obtaining appropriate care. We hope to work at raising awareness and reducing the stigma and discrimination for both conditions. Bullying is common with both epilepsy and mental illness and this must be halted. Education and understanding can reduce this misunderstanding of two dreadful chronic and severe medical conditions. WHY mistreat people just because they have medical conditions that you do not understand? The name of our organization comes from our son Sam's t-shirt company. He was 16 years old and the one year anniversary of this first two suicide attempt came. He was celebrating life and wanted to raise awareness of suicide, depression, and reduce risk of teen death and young adult suicide. He was a passionate advocate!! He only had this business, selling T's, hoodies, bookmarks, and anti Abortion t's for about a year before worsening depression crashed in upon him and signs of schizophrenia began. We tried to encourage his artwork to continue and we would do the rest. He just felt unable to continue this work. We are now taking up his work where he could no longer bring his designs to the public. We want to try to reduce suicides, teach about the dangers of depression, and that treatment can work. Sam reached out to a young man just before he died telling him to obtain help for his depression, Sam was just never good about telling others how much pain he was in.....He stayed on treatment, but did not receive a must needed medication adjustment just before his last and fatal suicide attempt, He needed to speak up and tell someone about the voices telling him to kill himself and how much he was hurting. Suicide shatters the people who are left behind. IF YOU ARE SUICIDAL< CALL THE SUICIDE HOT LINE AT 1 800 781 2433 or 1 800 273 8255 In Connecticut you can call 211 for a mobile unit to come to the home to come and assess the person (or you). We will do our best to help with information and support. We are NOT a medical center, however. We are parents who have been through over 13 years of experience taking care of our son. I have epilepsy as well as a severe migraine and arthritis problem. I am a researcher, reader, and will do my best to help. I will tell try to link you up to someplace that can help. We have educational programs for schools, civic groups, individuals, ambulance and first responders, police, any group that is interested.

Dogs watching over Sam's river and our town

The dogs have come to Rotary Park in Putnam, Ct. This is not unusual when they are the tail wagging, walking, living, and breathing type, These dogs are made of steel and tower over the tail wagging variety and people who come to stare! I have heard that some people think they are "dumb", " weird" why are they here? I went to see these giant replicas of "man's best friend" today. They are on loan from an artist who created these iron beasts for a traveling art show. The Putnam Art's Counsel paid to have them come to our area for a short stay. The first on I saw was "Watching" over the Cargill falls. The next few were facing toward the roadway, lined up in pairs, and scattered around. As I walked my normal route I passed "Sam's rock, the one the Johnny "Tat" and Jeremy painted in honor of Sam Miller, my son. The one who died in that fall in May. As I took a picture of that rock I noticed that there was a dog facing that rock as if the huge "watch dog" was looking out for Sam's rock. I began to ponder, Dogs have a lot of meaning in many people's life, including mine and my son's. They can be companions, therapy animals, watch dogs, guard dogs, seizure dogs, awareness animals, response dogs, working dogs. Dogs can alert us to danger before we know it is evident. As I continued to ponder, walk the park, taking pictures of the park, I saw many dogs positioned as if watching that river. I felt an odd sense of comfort. Yes, I know that these huge iron dogs can do nothing to stop someone else with impulsive tendencies such as my son. I do know that people talk to animals, though and sometimes a simple peace of art can ease minds and bring comfort to the soul. These dogs seem to be watching the streets, the river, and the park, if only for a brief time. Is this a foolish feeling? Perhaps, the musing of a mother who finds comfort in over sized iron dogs is foolishness. They seem a reminder of other dogs that watch and comforted in the past or that someone is watching.

The other perspective is that art of any kind always draws differing opinions! LOVE IT< hate it! Do not understand it, people will have their own opinion of any art displayed but they will NOTICE art and these dogs do draw your eye to Rotary Park! The Art Counsel did something interesting! I have a plan that this works well with and I will be having our nonprofit contacting the counsel of the Arts soon for PTT! STAY TUNED!!!