Brent L. Valentine
Parents: Karen and Wes Lawson

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Brent was a happy boy, also a jokester. He had a serious side and was sensitive. When he was little, he loved his “good night” ritual of having his forehead rubbed. He’d say, “Mom, do this” and put my hand on his little forehead.

He has one sister whom he adored and admired. There was a strong bond between them. Brent adjusted to his parents’ divorce, which happened when he was six. I remarried. He bonded with his step-dad and was in constant contact with his biological dad. Things were going very good.

He did very well academically, but not in sports. He liked to read and enjoyed writing. He attended writing seminars at UCLA. He worked diligently on a movie script that he named “The Slow Melt.” His goal was to write and produce movies. He was in a good place.

A huge interruption happened just weeks before his high school graduation. His biological father was arrested for child molestation. Brent attended the hearing and learned it was true. His father went to prison. Brent was devastated.

The next blow came when his beloved dog died. He was so sad. Time for a change. Off to L.A. to pursue his dream, not realizing this could take years. He had made important connections, but it was going slowly. He registered his first script with the Writers Guild of America and started a second script. Brent was becoming very depressed and wasn’t the young man we knew. He was short-tempered, was drinking, and out of control at times. We helped every way we knew, but it wasn’t enough.

He made more than one attempt to get help through St. Luke’s Hospital, Magellan Health, etc., but was consistently turned away and told he was fine, he didn’t fit the criteria. Another blow.

We received the call that changed our lives forever. He had jumped 170 feet from a hotel ledge. My son was finally at peace.

Mental illness is not a sign of weakness. The issues are confusing and it takes a lot of effort to grasp how sensitive it is. The public desperately needs more education, more awareness of how to recognize signs of despair which could lead to suicide.

We cope by keeping Brent in conversations, remembering him with each holiday we celebrate. We see several signs from him. I keep a journal and “visit” with him. He is always with us and will never be forgotten.