NORMAL, Ill. – A very important message of awareness and support for mental health issues will be delivered by former Major League Baseball pitcher John Trautwein Wednesday, April 12, when he tells his story as part of the Illinois State University Speaker Series at Redbird Arena beginning at 8 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, with parking available in lots adjacent to the arena. This presentation is sponsored by the President's Office, Illinois State Athletics and State Farm.
By telling the story about losing his teenage son, Will, to suicide in 2010, Trautwein focuses on what he learned as a grieving parent who was unaware of the issues that faced his child and still burden millions of teens today. He and his wife, Susie, have become a positive force for change through the Will To Live Foundation, a nonprofit they created after losing Will during his freshman year of high school. More than $1 million has been raised through the organization to prevent teen suicide by raising awareness and education about mental health.
A native of the Chicago area and now president of the global IT company, Source Support Services, headquartered in the Atlanta, Georgia area, Trautwein's passion is to raise teen suicide awareness. One solution he promotes is to create "life teammate bonds" between the people in one's lives that are there for each other to provide love and hope.
The work of Trautwein and his wife has garnered national media attention and accolades. In 2011, they received President George H. W. Bush's Daily Point of Light Award for their foundation work and their ability to turn the tragedy of their son's death into a positive message that inspires others. Their story has also been shared through Trautwein's book, My Living Will—A Father's Story of Loss & Hope.
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