NATHANIEL B. FIELD MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, INC.

Board of Directors:

 

Marie Field- President

Christiana Field- Vice President

Howie Field- Treasurer

Cecile Haase- Secretary

Russ Arrigoni

Dawn Earley

Jonathan W. Field Esq.

Gary Ginter

Megan Haase

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Did you know that in Connecticut, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 2019 for ages 15-34 (afsp.org).  According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in 2019, 47,511 suicides were reported, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. In that year, there were an estimated 1.38 million suicide attempts.

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We have focused on mental health awareness following the loss of our son Nathaniel Field who took his life on April 12, 2015. Nathan was an outstanding student in his junior year at Haddam-Killingworth High School. He was involved in numerous school clubs and activities, and participated in tennis and indoor track. He was witty, modest, and a great son and brother. We never had any reason to suspect that he was struggling.

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To date, our foundation has awarded twenty-six $1000 scholarships to Haddam-Killingworth High School seniors. In addition, we teamed up with John Morello in bringing John to HKHS, HKMS, Valley Regional HS, and Coginchaug Regional HS. John has captivated thousands of high school and middle school students and staff across the country as he weaves his personal stories that cover a wide range of topics including substance abuse, mental health awareness, inclusion, and suicide prevention. In 2020, the Foundation gave a $2500 grant to support John's printing of his Graphic Novel "DIRT". This printing supports John's efforts to reach out to students and staff remotely and in-person.

 

Our Foundation supports organizations with similar goals. Since December 11, 2018, we have donated $8000 to Volunteers in Psychotherapy. In 2020, we donated $1000 to the Middletown Public Schools program “All Pro Dads”. We participated in a mental health fair in 2019 organized by the Killingworth based Changing Minds Advocacy Group. Our team “You’re Worth It!” has participated in American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Community Walks, and the Hike for Hope. Our team has walked in several Brian Dagle Foundation’s Niantic 5K Jingle Bell walks, and donated books and $5500 to their Center For Hope And Healing. We continue to participate in workplace, community awareness, educational, and mental health activities. 

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Finally, a long term goal is related to the tremendous need for support groups to assist survivors by providing hope and the knowledge that they are not alone. Luckily we found a Suicide Survivors support group that has helped us tremendously in regaining some degree of normalcy in our lives. Sadly, many families are confronted with similar circumstances. We have come to the realization that numerous people, young and old, struggle with diagnosed and undiagnosed mental illness.  We have experienced firsthand that loved ones can hide serious, yet treatable illnesses from their friends, family, teachers, and classmates. 

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Dying by suicide is an epidemic in this country!  With your help, we want to spread our motto around like wildfire!  “YOU’RE WORTH IT!”  If the activities that we pursue, through your generous support, save even one life, then we will be proud of our efforts.  Together, we can make a difference! 

 

Thank you! Marie and Howie Field

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For more information or to contact us please visit our website http://www.nathanielfield.org/ , or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NathanielB.FieldMemorialFoundation/or email us at NBFMF@comcast.net