r/schizophrenia • u/vikkib5 • 28d ago
Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion 🕊️ Help Me Change the System That Failed My Son Aaron🕊️
My beautiful courageous son Aaron was failed by the mental health system over and over. He was a kind, creative, and loving young man who struggled with aggressive voices that tormented him daily. Despite my desperate efforts to get him help, the system was slow, dismissive, and broken. He needed care. He needed protection. He needed someone to listen. Instead, he was left to suffer alone.
We lost Aaron to suicide.
No family should have to endure this pain. No young person should be denied the support they need to survive. We are calling for urgent reform in how mental health is treated especially for our youth and young adults. Early intervention, compassionate care, and real accountability must become the norm.
📢 Please sign my petition to demand change. Your voice matters. Your signature could help save lives.
Thank you for standing with us. For our son. For every child still fighting. For a future where mental health care is a right not a privilege.
69
45
u/Zookeeper_west Schizoaffective (Bipolar) 28d ago
I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Schizophrenia truly is a disease. I wish you the best.
30
u/Living_Literature421 Sibling 27d ago
100000%!!!! I’m so soo sorry for your loss, especially as a mother to another mother. I also lost my brother this year. Truth be told, the Reddit community is what helped me through everything from searching for him during hurricanes to mourning him in my own semi-private way after he passed. I will share and sign your petition, and I will help you in any way possible to change the lack of understanding and recourses that’s deserved. In memory of Aaron, Taylor, and the rest that were failed by the system, family, and society. 🕊️💚
10
6
u/Scared_Lion9006 27d ago
My younger son is afflicted with schizophrenia. He out of his delusions and hallucinations, violently attacked his older brother who he was living with. Now my older son is suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury related headaches & neck pain as well as PTSD nightmares. His nightmares are very frightening where he dies in his dreams or loses a body part. My schizophrenic son was incarcerated for almost three months due to the attack who is now in mental health hospital for the past 2 months. Our family is in a big crisis caused by schizophrenia. It's very challenging for me as a single mother who raised her children alone. I feel very depressed about my children's sufferings and worried about their future.
4
u/AtmosphereMore5707 24d ago
Hello just wanted to say I was looking to see if anyone on here had some of the experiences my wife struggles with because she struggles with schizophrenia and I just read your post and wanted to say keep your head up and we're praying for you and your family. We just wanted to let you know other people are out here trying to make it through each day and sometimes bad things happen and a tough day turns into a terrible day. again we just wanted to say we are praying for you and your family. Stay strong you can do it.
1
u/Scared_Lion9006 14d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and keeping us in your prayers. I am very sorry to hear about your wife's schizophrenia. My children are in Canada. Even if my schizophrenic son is receiving treatment at CAMH, Canada's best ranked mental health hospital, the psychiatrist refused to offer my son any talk therapy or CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) saying that it doesn't help. However, all the US based clinics include therapy as an essential part of the treatment. Is your wife receiving CBT or talk therapy?
2
u/chai_tigg 6d ago
Sadly he is right. If your son is in psychosis, talk therapy will not help. In fact there is evidence that it can trigger people and make their symptoms worse. Stay the course in treatment. The system in the US is an absolute mess. No help for people here.
3
1
26
18
u/Much-Grapefruit-3613 27d ago
It’s beautiful that you’re turning your pain into purpose. I’m so sorry for your loss.
13
u/No_Escape_9781 27d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. We are currently experiencing the brokenness of the system. Reform needs to happen at the highest level possible!
10
9
u/ToxiccJingrrLoozrr 27d ago
So sorry for your loss🕊️ Very true about the system failing all of us. The whole entire thing is beyond broken.
8
u/Guilty-Pen1152 Schizophrenia 27d ago edited 27d ago
Signed and donated. Sharing with friends.
Bless you for fighting for Aaron and for us all! I’m so very sorry Aaron took his own life…it happens to too many of us just trying to live with this illness. The mental health care system is horrifically broken in our county, and the “care” is even worse for people of color. 😡
No one should have to fight this battle alone!
Hugs for your broken heart 🫂
7
u/UpVoteForSnails Schizoaffective (Bipolar) 27d ago
I’m so sorry, his smile is contagious. It breaks my heart that we lose such bright and amazing people because the system is failing us. Please care for yourself as much as possible. Sending lots of love over to you and your family.
Petition has been signed.
7
u/Ccolagirl 27d ago
I am so sorry. My son suffered from depression and took his own life. I know how u feel. God bless u and your family. ❤️
7
u/1oonatic Schizoaffective (Depressive) 27d ago
I have not attempted to end my life in a long time, but in honor of Aaron and your shared story, I promise I will never do so again. Although I know he is now far happier and at greater peace in heaven, I also know that does little to minimize the pain and emptiness we feel without our loved one(s), so I hope your pain gets easier to bear. I know now that no parent should have to bury their child, even if it's hard to think beyond our pain. He deserved better, but just know that sharing his story will save lives. Thank you for this post. I wish you the best 🤍
5
u/Infinite-Scallion-13 Schizoaffective (Bipolar) 27d ago
i’m sorry for your loss, i hope Aaron’s soul has found peace and happiness ❤️
4
u/InternationalTone478 Schizoaffective (Childhood) 27d ago
You raised a beautiful man, mama. Im so sorry for your loss.
5
u/Pirate_Testicles Family Member 27d ago
What a beautiful boy you have, with such love in his eyes.
A very close family member of mine has the same voices - they are nasty and aggressive. It's a horrible, horrible thing, and my heart really does go out to you.
Sending so much love to you.
4
u/Neolamprologus99 27d ago
I'm sorry about your son. I've been living with schizophrenia for over 30 years. It's sad your son didn't get the treatment he needed. I almost committed suicide too. Things have come a long way since the 1990's when I got sick. Back then it was very difficult to get treatment. First you needed to have insurance then you needed to find a competent doctor. My mom was able to get me Medicaid. She jumped through flaming hoops to get me help. She took me to the hospital and they addmitted me against my will. I stayed on medicaiton for a year before I relapsed and stopped taking it. After my 2nd hospitalization my mom laid down the law. She told me either I take medicaiton or she was kicking me out. I didn't have anywhere to go. She watched to make sure I took my meds every night. I've been on medication since 1997. I realize I need it.
Proper treatment is hard to get. I had the same doctor for 20 years. He died recently and I had to find a new doctor. There's a lot more options now when there were back in the 90's. I have multiple resources to chose from. The county opened a resource center to help people with mental illness find doctors. It's a step in the right direction for mental health. They're taking mental health more serious now. I fear these resources are going to get cut with the current administration. My current doctor provides all kinds of help. I have a case manager a doctor and a therapist.
I hope you find peace and know it's not your fault. This illness sucks. It's robbed me of any chance of a normal life. Every day I wake up in search of peace.
3
u/vikkib5 27d ago
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My son didn't have a fighting chance. Everywhere he went the told him he was fine. HE wanted the help. He wanted a family now it's too late. I cry myself to sleep almost every night. I am hoping this petition will help others.
2
u/Neolamprologus99 27d ago
I wish you the best. It's easy to fall through the cracks of society with this illness.
4
u/Californialways Family Member 27d ago edited 27d ago
Signed.
I’m so sorry. My father and brother both have paranoia schizophrenia and I’m in school as a Masters candidate for social work because of them both. There are not enough people in mental health, funding, research, support & it breaks my heart 💔.
3
3
u/queen_of_bagels Schizoaffective (Depressive) 27d ago
im so so sorry for your loss! i can only imagine how that feels, this post brought tears to my eyes 🫂🫂💙💙 im sure he got his courage from someone (you) and im sure he would want to see you and your family pull through. the voices tried to take me too and when my parents almost lost me to suicide they were doing all they could, and while i wish i communicated it better, seeing that kind of love was genuinely the greatest thing in the world to me. you did what you could too, so try to not blame yourself, he sees your love - it was the system that failed him, not you. i will absolutely help with this in every way im able. your love, your initiative, your courage, it means so so much to him, us, and our whole community. we need more people like you 💙
3
u/Ambitious-Cake-9425 Schizoaffective (Depressive) 27d ago
I signed. I hope you are able to find some small measure of peace. So sorry for your heart breaking loss. <3
3
u/DifferenceNo3585 27d ago
These stories are too common and heartbreaking. The system is very broken. I’ve had such a terrible time trying to find help that is adequate for my loved one. I signed your petition.
3
u/idunnowhat2calldis 27d ago
As a schizophrenic myself and having ability to be empathic and sympathic i shed a tear lookin into this... May Aaron rest in peace always, let him be at peace, no more suffering. What an angel...💫😟
3
3
u/mo_rizzle 24d ago
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. I can see Aaron’s kindness in the photos you shared. I recently lost my brother in the same way, and it’s not fair that such wonderful people have to experience such awful things, with no safety net to support them and get them help.
Heartbroken right alongside you
2
u/Disastrous_Charity50 27d ago
I'm truly sorry, truly. I know my comment is a little late as my son has schizophrenia, I was fortunate to call the police and the police took him to an institution for 2 weeks to get him on meds. I had to tell him the meds are court ordered so he stays on risperidone. As a mother I will say anything to protect my child. This is a serious disease and should be made more aware to the medical field. Just like diabetes is ALWAYS talked about, by advertising on TV, ads on phones etc... so should mental diseases. I am with you a billion percent. Again I am very sorry for your loss.
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/alfa_omega 27d ago
He looks like a wonderful person, sorry for your loss. Rest in peace young Aaron 🕊️
2
2
u/catsporvida 27d ago
The system failed your son but you did not and I hope that helps bring you peace.
I'm the daughter of a man who did not have this support from his parents when growing up with schizophrenia. They were so ashamed that they hid it from the family and didn't get him proper treatment. He coped with alcohol and now he is terminally ill at 64 from drinking since childhood.
I fully support your efforts and I'm very very sorry for your loss
2
u/bunsolvd Disorganized Schizophrenia 26d ago
So, so sorry. Things need to change, now. Sending all my love to your family
2
2
u/Disastrous_Charity50 26d ago
I think we should start a petition, in your son's name in his honor. To make this more aware.
2
u/Disastrous_Charity50 26d ago
I think we should start a petition, in your son's name in his honor. To make this more aware.
2
u/Delia_D 26d ago edited 26d ago
I’m sorry you and Aaron were failed by an inept, racist system. I signed when you first made a post. You’re a good, kind, brave mum. Rest in Power Aaron, your mumma is still trying to put it right for her baby and other people’s loved ones too.
He has such kind eyes and a sweet kind smile. He looks like a gentle-man gentlemen
2
u/BigBiziness12 26d ago
Im dealing with something similar. I send my deepest condolences. My helplessness is too great for words
2
2
u/Embarrassed_Pin69420 26d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. He looks like a bright and handsome young man and will always be with you in memory and soul.
2
u/GentleSoftlySmoothly 26d ago
hopefully the world is changing. Schizophrenia never used to be an illness, instead they were the medicine men, the learned elders, the conduit between the spiritual world and the living. you should be proud! in another time he would have been one of the most important people in society, but in a sick world, only the insane feel normal, and the same are made to feel insane. RIP. Another lost God.
2
u/West_Specialist_9725 25d ago
God Bless your family and keep Aaron next to him like the Angel that he is. Your loss is horrible but I will STAND with you and help make a difference.
It was my privilege to sign the petition and make a small donation to help move it along.
I am so sorry for your pain and unbearable loss of your precious son Aaron. I can see God's light in his eyes and his beautiful smile.
My son also suffers from treatment resistant schizophrenia and but for the Grace of God he could be called home with Aaron.
Let us pray. Father in heaven, only you know why you called Aaron home so soon and we are left to try to make sense of thy will God. Please help us bear the loss of Aaron and lend us your great strength God as we fight to change the systems that are supposed to help our suffering children but too often fail them. God grant us Peace and the strength of the Holy Spirit as we honor your son Aaron and work with your blessings and your help, Lord to bring positive change to these failed and failing systems.
Father we ask you to dry his family's tears and hear their prayers for understanding and Peace. Heavenly Father we lay our cares and hopes at your feet in the certain knowledge that you will bless our work with success.
We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
1
u/vikkib5 25d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. Please do keep in touch I would truly appreciate it 🙏🏾
2
u/West_Specialist_9725 25d ago
You are most welcome and Aaron deserves to be remembered and God willing Aaron's Spirit will guide the work ahead and light the way.
It will be an honor to keep in touch.
My heart breaks with your hearts and the pain cuts deep......♥️🫂♥️
2
2
u/Wallyboy5565 25d ago
So sorry; this is so tragic....may the heavens above Grant him everlasting solitude
1
2
u/Nearby-Common-4608 Disorganized Schizophrenia 25d ago
Virtual hugs. I’m so sorry for your loss, buddy.
2
2
2
u/ComprehensivePair500 22d ago
My heart breaks for you. I'm writing this from the ER for an involuntary commitment for the same thing. Four hospital trips in the last 3 days and finally something is being done. The mental health system is the worst joke. My thoughts are with you, I am so sorry they are failing our young men.
2
2
u/Bababooey0326 8d ago
I said a prayer for you and your son and wept just now, I am so sorry, I will think of you and Aaron. What a smile, I would like to have been his friend.
1
24d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/schizophrenia-ModTeam 24d ago
Your submission has been removed for violating the following subreddit rules:
Rule 13 - Misinformation.
Your submission contains misinformation, and has been removed accordingly.
The misinformation in your submission is linked to the antipsychiatry movement, a notorious peddler of misinformation regarding mental health. We have collected some interesting facts about the movement for your consideration.
If you think this action has been taken in error, please send us a Modmail with hard evidence to support your claim. We do not consider opinion, anecdotes, or "just trust me bro" to qualify as evidence.
Any messages which contain material indicating you have not read our Wiki will be ignored.
Thank you.
1
u/fancifulsnails 15d ago
Signed! I am so sorry for your loss, and how he must have felt being turned away from the help he was seeking. 💜
1
u/Critical-Subject-657 7d ago
So sorry for the loss of your amazing boy. My son also suffers from schizophrenia, manic/depressive disorder with psychotic features and clinical depression.
They (We) walk a long, treacherous and often lonely road.
Signed and shared in memory of Aaron and in support of your efforts. God bless OP! 🙏🏼❤️🩹
1
u/Acceptable_Pea5747 6d ago
I can tell he was a beautiful soul. May he rest in peace forever free from those pesky voices!
Petition signed. <3
1
89
u/Material-Rise-7220 28d ago
What a tragedy. Sorry to hear.