On Oct. 15, 2010, former Red Sox pitcher John Trautwein’s oldest son Will took his own life.
A freshman in high school, Will was a passionate lacrosse player and the leader of his teen band. Will was someone who “was always happy in his friends’ successes” Trautwein told an audience of parents and community members at Oliver Ames High School on March 13.
Trautwein shared the mental trauma his son’s suicide inflicted upon his life. Always viewing his son as happy, intelligent, athletic and talented, the thought of him having a mental illness was farfetched to say the least, he said.
Trautwein said he wrestled with the “what-ifs” and struggled in coping with Will’s death. While giving his son’s eulogy and seeing the congregation of his buddies from various stages in life, he decided what the most effective coping mechanism would be.
Trautwein and his wife, Susie, created the Will to Live Foundation dedicated to preventing teen suicide. The foundation encourages teens and youngsters to network with their friends and peers from an emotional standpoint.
“We are dedicated to preventing teen suicide by improving the lives and the ‘will to live’ of teenagers everywhere through education about mental health and encouraging them to recognize the love and hope that exists in each other,” the foundation’s mission statement reads.
Trautwein explained to the adults how their children will confide in their own peers therefore encouraging the spirit of teamwork from a mental and emotional standpoint.
“The stigma around mental illness is so negative that it causes people to not talk about it and that can be tragic. So introducing the subject of suicide in terms of loving one another, allows people to perceive it with a positive spin,” he said.
The foundation strives to spread the message that kids have love, hope, understanding, and “life teammates.”
The foundation’s strategy includes raising awareness of teen suicide, increasing education around mental illness and its stigmas and “delivering hope” through its Life Teammates program.
The Life Teammate Award and Scholarship goes to seniors, chosen by their teammates and/or club mates, according to the foundation’s website. Students vote on a Life Teammate who embodies characteristics such as being a leader on and off the field and being someone who motivates, inspires and cares for the younger members of programs.
Trautwein also gave his presentation during the day to OAHS students.
OAHS principal Wes Paul said he was taken aback by “1,200 students standing on their feet, giving John a standing ovation.”
“Messages like John’s are crucial for communities to hear and act upon,” Paul said.
“It is extremely important that we talk about and help remove the stigma that mental illness is something to be embarrassed about,” said Rikke Taylor, a parent of three students in the Easton Public Schools. “Since it is curable and treatable, we can change it, if we talk about it. And removing that negative outlook is something our community and every community should work towards.”