FOREST CITY, Iowa - Kate Rogers lost her brother John Thomas to suicide after a long battle with depression, alcohol and drug abuse.
"He was just a fun, loving, giving person kind loyal to a fault almost, he was just so full of life."
The death of her brother was a shock to her and her family which eventually led her to seek help through counseling and start raising awareness by hosting a suicide prevention event at Serenity Spa in Forest City.
“It was later on that I realized that I was stuck in my grief, that I was just stuck, I couldn't move on I was angry all of the time and then I sought help,” says Rogers.
Mason City resident Robert Rock loss his ex-wife this past July who also suffered from depression.
"She had other health issues, but she took anti-depressants while we were married. I don't know she just seemed to never to be happy, I don't know how to explain it,” says Rock.
He says which was hard for him to deal with.
"I could tell something was wrong, but she would seek help just never seem to be good for a while then she'll go back to depression. It was just hard for both of us."
As for Rogers, she says her ultimate goal is to continue to lend a helping hand to help end suicide.
"The goal is to let people know that you're not alone and to come together and it's a community of people that you would’ve never thought that you'll be associated with."
