Jonathan's Funeral Fund

It is with deep regret and great sadness that we, the Chetcheuth family, announce the loss of Jonathan Rocky Chetcheuth to suicide on October 31st, 2017. He was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, and friend. Since coming into this world, Jonathan had always been a funny and charismatic kid who exhibited great potential, inquisitiveness, empathy, love, and respect for his friends and his family. With such an amazing, talented, and intelligent old soul, his passing is indescribably painful and the hurt in our hearts is beyond anything we’ve ever felt before. As we grieve for him, we will always remember him for the sweet and fun-loving person he was. Rest in peace, dear Bubba. We love you and you’ll live on in our hearts forever!

As with all loss, no one is ever prepared for the passing of a loved one. In such times of need, not only do family bonds help everyone through the emotional turbulence that loss brings, so does generosity and support from local and/or online communities. We wholeheartedly appreciate any donations for funeral costs, large or small, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, compassion, generosity, and support.

                                                                    –The Chetcheuth Family


“My mind is my enemy, how long before I lose it again?” Jonathan wrote in a letter he left before taking his own life on October 31st, 2017. He was a 19 year old, 4.0 student who suffered from mental illness. He writes “I don’t want to hurt anyone, I just want mine to stop. I will never be normal. I will never be happy.” There’s nothing more heartbreaking than to read this from your child. As parents, all we ever want to do is love and protect our children, but how can you protect them from themselves? How do you heal their hurt when you don't know what it is? We’ll never be able to understand what emotions or stigma Jonathan was feeling that moment or what he was thinking nor can we go back in time to change what happened. We only have now. All we can do is continue to be more aware, more caring, do better, and be better as we live our lives, carrying the memories of our loved ones with us. 

                                                                  –Emily Khampou Lagunas
                                                               
Fact: 90% of those who commit suicide have an underlying mental illness. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Fact: Stigma is a feeling of shame or judgement from someone else; in this case, judged just because they have a mental health condition. Stigma is cited as a primary reason why many people do not seek help when they experience symptoms of mental illness.

The first step to getting help is to SAY IT OUT LOUD. Remember, you are not alone!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741
http://www.crisistextline.org/

NAMI help line - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
https://www.nami.org/