After losing her 19-year-old son, James, to suicide, Donna Thomas turned her grief into greatness and has made it her mission to never let another parent endure the same feeling.
What was a loud and discordant time for James, seemed to be a functioning teenager towards everyone else, but in 2018, that was far from true.
After James lost his battle with depression in 2018, Donna turned her pain inwards and set out to provide resources for others that she did not have herself.
She founded James' Warriors which aims to support, educate, and simply talk about suicide prevention. Through speaking engagements, support groups, and community outreach, Donna is working to break the stigma around mental illness and ensure that no one must face these challenges alone.
Some of the tools she implements are helping loved ones understand warning signs and the necessary actions if someone close to them is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
“We need to make these conversations fluid so that other people do not deal with this in shame,” Donna says.
Donna regularly speaks to groups including high-school aged students on how to process feeling isolated, emotional, and alone. She explains how depression looks different on everyone and there is not a right or wrong way to feel this emotion.
“In some of the presentations at the high schools, I read my son's suicide note, not to make it scary, but to see how somebody thinks in times like this,” she adds.
Even with this large of a loss in her life, Donna says she believes God put her on this Earth to help others.
James Warriors was started out of uncertainty and pain, but it wasn’t long before the non-profit gained attention.
“I feel like it is my goal to teach others,” Donna says. “Just because you have a mental health diagnosis doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful life,” she adds.
She not only teaches young people how to process his or her emotions, but also focuses specifically on parents too.
In June, James’ Warriors will be gearing up for their annual mother’s retreat. Donna says these retreats are vital in ensuring mother’s do not face these unimaginable feelings alone, and to provide advice and tips from one mother to another.
“I tell moms that they will more than likely pick up bad habits in the first year,” Donna says.
From eating, sleeping, or even relaying on other substances too much or too little, can become a coping tactic many moms will use. However, Donna says the second year after your child’s passing will be even harder.
“The second year is when the grief starts to set in, and then you need that support to get through because your brain actually protects you in ways that kind of almost keep you out of reality,” Donna adds.
Through donations, James’ Warriors can provide retreats and other events that cater to some of the most vulnerable people, and you can support them too.
Donna now views her days differently, especially finding gratitude in the small things.
She says she feels James’ presence around her often and believes he is proud of the work she is doing to keep his memory alive.
“ I feel like wherever James is, I feel like we're both working on each side,” Donna says.