Speak Up: A Mother’s Story

On December 14, 2012, the day that Adam Lanza killed his mother—then walked into an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where he shot and killed 20 first graders, 6 educators, and himself—my then 13-year old son was in an acute care psychiatric hospital.After years of incorrect diagnoses and medications that didn’t work, I still didn’t know what was wrong with Michael or how to help him. So I told my story to the world. When I wrote, “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother,” millions of families responded and said, “That’s our life, too.” Today, in 2014, Michael is stable. He has a diagnosis, and medications and therapies that work for him.

But before we could get help—before we could find hope—we had to speak up.

This May, I encourage everyone to speak up for the one in five children in America who struggle with mental disorders. The Child Mind Institute’s Speak Up for Kids campaign is making a difference. Together, as we share our stories and speak up for our kids, we move toward making real help, hope, and recovery a reality for our children and our families.