In June 2016, the world mourned the loss of a student from Mountain View High School (MVHS) to suicide. Since then, Tara Lowery, Jake’s mother, along with the Lowery family have worked hard to organize an annual event to prevent people from suffering in silence.

While Lowery shared her personal experience, she gave her input on the sensitive topic. “We need to stop hiding behind stereotypes of people that have mental issues. We all have some kind of mental issue. But, to what extent do we want to accept it and move forward with healing.”

The Jake Lowery Annual Stop Suicide Event is scheduled for September 14, 2024, from noon to 6 PM at Adventure Brewing Company, 33 Birchwood Drive, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA.

When the event came up in a recent discussion, Lowery was quick to comment, “It’s not so much about the money raised but about the awareness!”

“We as a community need to start talking about it!” she exclaimed in an recent interview. “In school we talk about drugs and sex, why not mental issues including suicide…,” Lowery continued passionately. Tara Lowery feels passionate about the topic due to her personal experiences and loss. 

Through the family’s journey of coping, Lowery reveals some of the positive aspects in her altered life.

“We have talked to many people that have attempted and survived, people that have thought about it and people that are scared to talk about it. If we help save 1 person, it makes it all worthwhile,” she wrote in a recent email. 

Tara Lowery’s personal experience of losing her son, Jake Lowery, to suicide on June 15, 2016, shaped her relentless determination to raise awareness for mental health.

“I am not exactly sure what happened that day…. He picked up his little brother from school and took him home while I was still at work packing up the classroom that I worked in. I had called after a little while to check on the boys and they were both ok. Next thing I know I received a call from Jesse screaming into the phone that Jake had killed himself,” Lowery revealed.

“The moment I received the call I felt that my whole world had exploded and there was nothing I could do about it and I had no answers…” 

She recalled the initial shock before continuing with how proud she was of her son during the time. “Jesse was right there no matter how many times Jake tried to send him to his room, ” Lowery said.

Despite the loss, Tara Lowery still keeps her best memories in the front of her mind, “Jake was a very sport involved child. He was very competitive and loved to be outside constantly,” she explained. 

“Looking back there were times he had anger and had lots of insomnia. As a teenager he was diagnosed with ADHD. The medicines that they had him try made him very sick.” she said. 

To Lowery and other affected families, a fact remains: there is no “moving on” from such a tragedy. Families cope, deal and recall the memories of what once was, but she will never fully move-on. A piece remains missing throughout the Lowery family hearts. However, knowing they are making a difference continues to keep Jake’s legacy alive.