I am One of Zach's Friends

Two months ago, my sweet friend, Melissa, lost her son.

On April 8th, 2011 our lives were forever changed when we lost our beloved son, Zachary.

Zachary was a funny, energetic, loving son...who also battled depression.

On April 8th Zachary ended his life. 

While no one likes to talk about suicide, it's time we start talking and raising awareness.  By educating ourselves and others we can start to recognize the warning signs and what we can do to help someone in need. 

According to the CDC a life is lost to suicide every 15 minutes, that's approximately 95 lives EACH DAY!  That statistic is astounding and is reason enough to start talking.  We need to equip ourselves and our children with the right resources to help others.

Like most families walking the same path we are, we had no clue our son was going to end his life that day, however, we refuse to stay silent.  We want to do everything we can to raise awareness.

In our efforts to raise awareness we had Friend of Zach bracelets created to help raise awareness about suicide prevention. 

While we are not professionals, we hope that our story and our ambition to help others will be contagious and that people will wear their bracelets not only as a reminder of a wonderful young man who's life was cut too short, but a reminder that we can make a difference. 

We can make a difference!

A common misconception is that "If I talk about suicide to my kids then I'll give them the idea to do it."  That is simply not true.  Suicide is portrayed in movies, on TV, and in the news...it's better for you to educate them rather than their friends or television. 

We MUST talk to our kids about this...if for no other reason, so they know what to do if a situation arises with one of their friends.

 

In the weeks since our son passed we have handed out (at no charge to students, parents and communities) over 1,000 bracelets with daily requests for more.

Your help is sincerely appreciated! 

Melissa Jones (Zach's Mom)

As her friend, I am heartbroken. As a mother, I am heartbroken. As a survivor, I am touched and in awe of the strength his mother has to carry on- and start a foundation to help others in need. ZachsFriends.org
Melissa also has bracelets, Zachlets, that she was kind enough to send every member of my family. In our family it has always been important to be honest with our children as a means to educate. Education is the BEST prevention.
BFTECosmetics has also started a new way to show support of their favorite causes. Beautiful Beneficence will give 50% of the sales of the Zach's Friends colors to Zachsfriends.org, and the buyer will receive a Zachlet. As the best friend of Melissa, this cause, and Zach, are very very dear to the BFTE heart.

Please take time to check out ZachsFriends.org. Pass it along. You never know would could benefit from some education, or a kind word.
You can also check out the BFTE Zach's Friends colors and show your support with some beautiful colors. "Erase the Stigma" and "Zach's Friend".