Please use this blog to help us remember Joshua Lee Anderson, who made the tragic and fatal decision to take his life on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. Please post any memories or thoughts you may have in the comments.


Friday, April 24, 2009

Op-Ed Submitted to Washington Post

Dearest Anderson Family
I am a SLHS parent. My son Matthew Shinrock and Josh were friends and LAX teammates. We continue to think of him, your family and you remain in our prayers daily.

In addition to being the mother of 3 teens/emerging young adults, I am also an MSW/PHd candidate/student at VCU...pursuing my degrees with a concentration in family counseling and with a research focus on resilience and risk and protective factors throughout the life course. At the time of Josh's death, I switched my semester research to teen suicide, to gain insight that could help my son, and his other grieving peers through this process.

I am attaching an oped piece I recently submitted to the Washington Post, and to Marc Fisher directly, that is a subset of my research, as well, my personal feelings and opinions. While it may not ever be published, I would like you to have a copy.

Warmest Regards.
May God Bless you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Barbara Shinrock


Please click on the link to view this moving piece.

What Really Matters: Keeping Our Kids Alive. In Loving Memory of Joshua Anderson

3 comments:

Terri H-L said...

Barbara, thank you so much for this very moving article. I agree with every point you make and think that as parents we need to really consider the pressure our kids and their friends are under. I will re-read this article periodically and do my best to share these ideas with my friends and acquaintances. I know it will make a difference and lives will be saved.

Terri H-L

coachhuber said...

Barbara, Please contact me! Mike Huber. coachhuber1@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

That was such a brilliant, truthful and eye opening article. Thank you for sharing it!
Tami W.