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It is National Suicide Prevention Week and one Central Alabama mom is opening up for the first time about her 14-year-old daughter's suicide.WVTM 13 first met Dori Lawrence in the spring of 2022 at a town hall in Chelsea. A rising 9th grader at the time, she spoke against the city of Chelsea forming its own school district. Lawrence was concerned the proposed budget for a new school system didn't include mental health resources. "Which is a big deal for me and other students I know of," Dori Lawrence said at the time. Lawrence's mom, Brandi, reached out to us a few days ago to let us know her 14-year-old daughter took her own life on July 10 of this year. With this week being National Suicide Prevention Week, she wanted to share her daughter's story. "So, she had put some thought into it," Brandi Lawrence said. "She's left behind lots of journals, lots of explanations. She even left a video that the deputies found that night." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports young people between the ages of 10 and 24 account for 15 percent of all suicides. It's the second leading cause of death in this particular age group. "It's important for me to talk about it because there seems to be such a huge stigma, and of course, we all want everybody to think our homes, our lives are perfect," Lawrence added.Even though Dori Lawrence struggled privately, her mom says she always put on a happy face in public. She says the community was devastated upon learning of Lawrence's death. More than 650 people attended her funeral. "At the end of the day, her struggle was too much for her to endure, and she thought the world would be a better place without her, which was completely wrong," Brandi Lawrence explained. "And unfortunately, she's left a huge, huge absence and gap and break in everybody's hearts." Lawrence says her daughter's suicide two months ago has already prompted a change in the community. "So many people want to take her story because she was so happy on the outside and make it a purpose to bring more awareness to mental health and more resources and how they're needed," Lawrence said.If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. —
It is National Suicide Prevention Week and one Central Alabama mom is opening up for the first time about her 14-year-old daughter's suicide.
WVTM 13 first met Dori Lawrence in the spring of 2022 at a town hall in Chelsea. A rising 9th grader at the time, she spoke against the city of Chelsea forming its own school district. Lawrence was concerned the proposed budget for a new school system didn't include mental health resources.
"Which is a big deal for me and other students I know of," Dori Lawrence said at the time.
Lawrence's mom, Brandi, reached out to us a few days ago to let us know her 14-year-old daughter took her own life on July 10 of this year. With this week being National Suicide Prevention Week, she wanted to share her daughter's story.
"So, she had put some thought into it," Brandi Lawrence said. "She's left behind lots of journals, lots of explanations. She even left a video that the deputies found that night."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports young people between the ages of 10 and 24 account for 15 percent of all suicides. It's the second leading cause of death in this particular age group.
"It's important for me to talk about it because there seems to be such a huge stigma, and of course, we all want everybody to think our homes, our lives are perfect," Lawrence added.
Even though Dori Lawrence struggled privately, her mom says she always put on a happy face in public. She says the community was devastated upon learning of Lawrence's death. More than 650 people attended her funeral.
"At the end of the day, her struggle was too much for her to endure, and she thought the world would be a better place without her, which was completely wrong," Brandi Lawrence explained. "And unfortunately, she's left a huge, huge absence and gap and break in everybody's hearts."
Lawrence says her daughter's suicide two months ago has already prompted a change in the community.
"So many people want to take her story because she was so happy on the outside and make it a purpose to bring more awareness to mental health and more resources and how they're needed," Lawrence said.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.
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