Her daughter’s suicide compelled her to speak out; she’ll present her message in Jasper this month

Christine Schmidt, a former Jasper resident currently living in Bettendorf, Iowa, will be sharing her true and heartbreaking story about the life and suicide death of her 12-year-old daughter, Morgan to students, families and community members.

Christine founded the non-profit, It’s All Love, Only Love Coalition, shortly after Morgan’s passing on April 6, 2014. As the president of the Coalition, Christine visits schools and communities teaching parents and students the very real dangers and effects of anxiety and depression to help prevent suicide. She also shares how important it is to “Be Kind. Always.”

Schmidt will hold presentations the following days and times:

Tuesday, January 24 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m in the JHS auditorium. This presentation is for parents only.

Wednesday, January 25 from 9:40-10:40 a.m. – JHS Students

Thursday, January 26 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. – JMS Students

The community talks in the evening are for adults only. They will hear the parent side of this experience and learn what to watch for in their own children.

The student assemblies are geared toward the age and grade level of the students and the message is age appropriate. The students will learn what anxiety and depression looks and feels like and how and when to share their own experiences as well as to whom they should share these with. Kindness is also a key component to our conversation.

We all need to practice empathy when we engage with others. How our words and actions affect others can be devastating or inspiring.

Christine Schmidt has been a stay at home mother of four who is also a school, church, and community volunteer, a published author who now shares her voice to help those who can’t. She uses her own experiences to give practical and useful advice to parents and students.

You can read more about this It’s All Love, Only Love Coalition at ialolcoalition.com.