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In 2023, Laura Love's life was forever changed when her 14-year-old son, Sam Aden, died by suicide. Since then, she has become a fierce advocate for reforming the mental health system, particularly in emergency rooms, after a traumatic experience trying to get help for Sam.
In early 2022, when Sam revealed feelings of despair, Laura took him to the emergency room, expecting it to be the place where he could get the help he needed. However, Sam was separated from his parents for hours, isolated in a holding room without support, and stripped of his personal belongings. This experience, which Laura describes as traumatic, left her questioning the system meant to help children in crisis.
Despite finding an outpatient program that offered Sam hope, Laura was shocked by the lack of follow-up care. After Sam’s discharge, there was no clear treatment plan, and the lack of support ultimately made Sam’s mental health struggles even worse. Laura now wonders if things might have been different if there had been more compassionate care when Sam needed it most.
Since Sam’s death, Laura has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the flaws in the mental health system. She believes that emergency rooms should be places of support and healing, not fear. "The ER should be a lifeline in a child’s darkest moment," she says, stressing the importance of creating a system where children get not just assessments, but ongoing care and guidance.
The Colorado Sun reported that through the Sam Aden Kindness Fund, Laura is funding programs to raise awareness about youth mental health and working to improve the system so that no other parent has to go through what she did. While Sam is no longer physically with her, Laura’s mission continues to honor his legacy and ensure that other families facing mental health crises receive the care and support they deserve.
If you or your loved one are struggling with your mental health or an addiction, reach out to Avenues Recovery to receive the help you deserve. Our caring and empathetic team has helped over 40,000 individuals transform their lives, and they can help you too. Contact us today to join our welcoming recovery community and to begin your journey to healing and health.