COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Teresa Daniels lost her 18-year-old son, Tristen, to suicide in 2014 — just 5 weeks before he was set to graduate from high school in Florida.
She describes Tristen as a vibrant, funny teenager who was a musician, an athlete, and a friend to many.
Daniels said Tristen began cutting himself in middle school, and the family sought help from a professional who she said was not concerned. She later learned that 40% of those who self-harm die by suicide.
At Tristen's funeral, one of his best friends revealed that Tristen had talked him out of taking his own life just a few weeks before Tristen died.
When asked what she thinks Tristen would want people to know about his story, Daniels replied, "He would want people to be able to communicate to someone that they're struggling or that they're having these thoughts, or that even if they're just not feeling like themselves. Just to be able to open the door for other people to be able to share.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, Daniels and hundreds of others will gather for the Southern Colorado Out of the Darkness Walk at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs. The event is organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. A registration link is available here.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. You can call or text 988 at any time to reach someone who can provide immediate help.
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