If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 for the Suicide & Mental Health Crisis Hotline for 24/7 local and national crisis support.
What began as a family’s unimaginable loss has grown into a community-wide effort to break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.
Michelle Peterson, executive director of the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation, says the organization’s mission was born after the loss of her daughter, Sarah, who died by suicide in 2014 while she was a ninth-grade student at Maury High School.
“Sarah was involved in track, cross-country, Girl Scouts, and loved the outdoors,” Peterson said. “She was interested in science, loved spending time with her friends, and had a vibrant personality.”
In the years following Sarah’s death, Peterson and her family recognized a troubling reality: conversations about mental health were often avoided.
“Twelve years ago, no one was talking about mental health,” Peterson said. “There was so much stigma surrounding it, and while that stigma still exists, we’re talking about it more than we used to. That’s good news because people need to know it’s okay to talk about their emotions and seek support.”
Today, the Norfolk-based nonprofit focuses on education and prevention, equipping community members with the tools to recognize warning signs and intervene before a mental health crisis escalates.
Prevention through training
Peterson believes one of the most effective ways to prevent suicide is through community education.
“Everyone should take a suicide prevention training class,” she said. “People need the confidence to ask direct questions when they’re concerned about someone and know where to turn for help.”
The foundation offers free suicide prevention training programs throughout Hampton Roads, helping participants learn how to recognize signs of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, and other risk factors.
Peterson said people often reveal their struggles indirectly.
“When someone says things like, ‘I can’t take it anymore,’ or starts acting differently than usual, that’s when our intuition should tell us something isn’t right,” she explained. “It’s important to reach out and have a caring conversation.”
She emphasized that changes in behavior, withdrawal from relationships, and social isolation can all be warning signs.
The importance of connection
Peterson says a growing lack of social connection may be contributing to mental health challenges.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have become more accustomed to spending time alone, she said.
“I do think we see less social connection among people than we used to,” Peterson said. “We’re spending more time on screens, people are busier, and the pandemic certainly didn’t help.”
Simple acts of connection can make a difference, she added.
“It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can be spending time with a neighbor, meeting a friend for a walk, or finding small opportunities to be together,” Peterson said.
Self-care and meaningful relationships remain key components of healthy mental well-being, Peterson said.
September marks Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation is using the month to encourage education and engagement.
The foundation has scheduled six free suicide prevention training sessions in the coming weeks. Information about registration is available at WorldWithoutSuicide.org.
The organization is also preparing for its annual community fundraiser, the Ladybug Flight for Suicide Prevention, scheduled for September 27 in Norfolk at Maker’s Craft Brewery.
The event, held in partnership with Norfolk Fire-Rescue, features 1,000 numbered foam ladybugs dropped from one of the department’s tallest ladder trucks onto a target below.
Participants can adopt a ladybug for $10, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s educational programs.
“It brings people together who care about mental health,” Peterson said. “Community connection is such an important part of prevention.”
Why ladybugs?
The ladybug has become a symbol of the foundation because of Sarah’s lifelong fascination with the insects.
“Sarah loved ladybugs from the time she was a little girl,” Peterson said. “When she got older, she would often wear red and black and say those were her signature colors.”
The foundation’s logo features a ladybug resting on a red ribbon, honoring Sarah’s memory and reflecting the spirit she brought to those around her.
Resources available
While the foundation focuses on prevention and education rather than counseling services, Peterson stresses that help is available for anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide or emotional distress.
One of the most accessible resources is the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
“You can think of it as 911 for the body and 988 for the mind,” Peterson said.
People can call or text 988 to connect with trained crisis counselors at no cost. Online chat services are also available.
Peterson also highlighted local counseling services and support groups, including Still Standing, a Virginia Beach-based support group for those who have lost someone to suicide.
A legacy of hope
More than a decade after Sarah’s death, Peterson believes her daughter’s legacy lives on through lives touched by the foundation’s work.
“We hear from people all the time who tell us a training class gave them the confidence to reach out to someone they were worried about,” Peterson said. “They truly believe they’ve saved a life.”
For Peterson, those stories are a reminder of why the work continues.
“Doing work that you know from firsthand accounts is saving lives is so meaningful and truly rewarding,” she said.
