FOr our love of Dylan
On November 21st, 2020, we lost our son Dylan to suicide – it was only six days after his 16th birthday.
Dylan was such a kind and gentle boy. He was pretty normal and had the usual struggles that kids face nowadays, like getting up in the morning, getting his homework done on time, and navigating the often-murky waters of being a teenager. Dylan wasn’t only a normal teenaged boy, or a student athlete, he was also a son, a brother, a friend, and an awesome kid who was overwhelmed by a struggle that he chose to not share.
Sports played a big part in Dylan’s life, but he also had good friends, was lucky enough that girls liked him, and he never missed a chance to live in the moment and have fun. Dylan also had two parents that loved him more than anything in the world, but he still felt an insurmountable pressure that led him to take his own life.
If HE could feel that type of pressure – anyone can.
My tragic experience with Dylan led me to start The Resiliency Center of Manasota in his memory, so that I can try to reach and ultimately save another child and family from experiencing what my family is going through.
Our greatest wish is that he would have asked for help, so that we wouldn’t have to live with the void that he left behind, and our lives would be better, fuller, complete. Good mental health is a vital part of our overall well-being, and it’s really important that we make it a priority. By taking care of ourselves, supporting the people in our communities, and advocating for better mental health resources, we can promote good mental health and help prevent suicide.
Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, please remember we are here to help.
Your support is greatly appreciated,
James Malkovich
Founder/CEO
The Resiliency Center of Manasota
