“Collateral Damage, Images of Those Left Behind by Suicide,” will be a book of portraits, website and gallery exhibition of people who have had loved ones and friends die by suicide. When I was 17 years old (I’m now 44) my father died by suicide. Although I never hid the fact that my father took his own life, I often felt that I was left dealing with my pain and recovery in solitude, social stigma and loneliness. Throughout my professional career as a Paramedic and Firefighter, I often saw the beginning of the same pattern in the suicide calls that I attended to. I so often found myself wanting to say to grieving and demolished family members, “I know how you feel.” This pattern leaves the survivors of today feeling the same way I did 27 years ago. It is my hope that this project will begin to change this.

The idea of putting a face to the loved ones and friends of those who have died by suicide has been with me for over ten years. I passionately believe that by stepping “out of the dark” and showing that I am a survivor of suicide will help those who are faced with a similar life changing experience today. I also believe that a collection of images of survivors will not only create a path of healing but also help with the social stigmas that continue to plague the issues of suicide and mental health.

For this project, I am the sole photographer as I believe strongly that my vision and how it is photographed and presented is a message within itself. The images will be accompanied by short stories that individuals will share about their journey in suicide survivorship.

The goals for this project;

• create a proactive dialogue on suicide and mental health
• lessen the stigma that surrounds suicide and mental health
• advocate for education and training on suicide awareness and mental health
• provide factual and evidence based information and links on suicide and mental health
• create a series of portraits of those who have lost loved ones and friends to suicide that will be part of a book and gallery exhibits