NATHANIEL B. FIELD MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

We have focused on mental health awareness following the loss of our son Nathaniel Field who died by suicide 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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We have sponsored educational/motivational speaker John Halligan at John Winthrop Middle School, Valley Regional High School, H-K High School for two performances and again at H-K Middle School. John effectively addresses bullying and suicide prevention across the nation with powerful messages about being an upstander instead of a bystander and that you are loved beyond belief. 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. To date, our foundation has awarded thirty-two $1000 scholarships to Haddam-Killingworth High School seniors.

Our Foundation supports organizations with similar goals. From 2021 thru 2023, we organized a Health and Wellness Fair open to the public with 30 organizations in attendance. In 2020, we donated $1000 to the Middletown Public Schools program “All Pro Dads”. Since December 11, 2018, we have donated $10,000 to Volunteers in Psychotherapy. 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 numerous American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Community Walks, the Hike for Hope, and the Gilead Community Services walk. Our team has walked in several Brian Dagle Foundation’s Niantic 5K Jingle Bell walks, and donated books and $6,500 to their Center For Hope And Healing. We continue to participate in workplace, community awareness, educational, and mental health activities. 

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There is a 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