Better Because Of Them Peer Support Resources

On October 15, 2021, my son Olan Martin took his own life. He had been 19 years old for not quite 13 days. Roughly a year before, Jaedon Mills was lost to his parents, grandparents, friends, family and siblings. He was only 16. Losses like these are thankfully rare, but no less crushing to their survivors.

As a parent, I can't begin to describe the devastation caused by his passing or his choice. Olan is survived by myself, his mother, and his younger brother and sister, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and hundreds of friends.

Over these past months, I've been searching for therapy, specifically survivor groups, that are specifically secular. As a person who doesn't subscribe to any religion, I found the implied requirement of participating in the structure and activities surrounding those beliefs distracting. I also worried that I'd impede the progress of others seeking help, a risk that wasn't worth taking.

The need for more support resources for survivors of losses like mine has become a focal point, not only for my recovery but to help others needing that support find a place to feel normal. That concept is the impetus behind starting a new non-profit in memory of my son and all the other sons and daughters lost to suicide and depression. A small group of friends, also survivors, desires to help others in memory of those we've lost, not just in their names but because of their meaning to their families.

Better Because Of Them Peer Support Resources, BBOT for short, is a culmination of conversations between parent survivors of child suicide. Our mission concept is simple: provide opportunities for peer guidance and therapy resources, and encourage survivors to help others rebuild their lives based on conversation, fellowship, and shared experience. In-person group sessions will allow direct contact and exchange between people living through similar grief and loss experiences. Building the group as a 501(c)3 will enable the tax-deductible donation of time and money and position the group attractively for corporate sponsorship and fundraising.

With your participation in this initial fundraising, you will be helping to set up the foundation properly, insure it, provide basic amenities for in-person meetings, and any other things that come up when beginning this type of venture. The long-term goals will include adding counseling resources, general grief and loss support groups, peer support training, and cooperative fundraising with other groups.

I genuinely hope that this concept is something you find meaning and value in. I can't convey the loss and frustration of searching for help and finding none you feel able to connect with. The mission of BBOT is to meet the needs of those left feeling like outliers and provide them with the ability to help themselves by supporting others.

Any donations are appreciated. Thank you for your time.