On September 2nd, 2014, Joshua died by suicide. He was 24 years old and had been struggling with mental illness for about 4 years with no definitive diagnosis.

Joshua was in his junior year of college when he experienced his first psychotic episode. None of us, including Joshua, knew what was happening.

We had no experience with mental illness.

 

Early detection is critical in managing emerging mental illness in young adults, and it greatly improves the chances of successfully treating it. 

 

We will keep talking about these issues so that others will not experience a similar tragedy. Suicide is preventable.