Thomas Jack Dojonovic was a kind, cheerful, bright 16-year-old young man. He was creative, sensitive, and cared about others more than anyone would ever expect for such a young heart. Ironically, Thomas was the go-to person or the “therapist” when his friends and peers needed help or advice. He even talked about becoming an actual therapist one day. All of those things, I knew about Thomas. But Thomas had a secret, a dark and lonely secret, that he kept to himself.  June 29, 2019, was the end of me knowing my Thomas. My son who I loved, admired, and had so many hopes and dreams for was gone, forever. Everything I now know about Thomas’s struggles has been retrieved only after his death. Our family had no idea that Thomas was suicidal. Thomas came from a very loving family. He swam on the High School swim team, he loved nature and animals and he loved to make other people happy. Thomas would still be here today if he just would have told someone he didn’t feel right.

If you ever feel yourself in a dark, uncomfortable place, SUICIDE IS NEVER THE ANSWER. Suicide is FOREVER. Hurt, heartache, disappointment, mental pain, and physical pain caused by mental pain are temporary. You can not undo suicide. The pain and suffering of loved ones and friends that you leave behind are shattering and relentless. Trust me, I live it every. single. day. Find someone you trust, or call a suicide hotline if you are ever feeling this desperate. If suicide is the path you have chosen, then you have nothing to lose by reaching out for help, somehow, someway. YOU MATTER. You matter today, you matter right now, you matter every single moment after you read this. You matter even if you don’t think you do.

Love and Positivity,
Thomas’s Mom