Surviving Suicide:

             A Father’s Journey

In the fall of 2009, Needham Youth Services offered a program entitled “Surviving Suicide: A Father’s Journey.”  The program was facilitated by Youth Services Director Jon Mattleman and featured Rich Gatto (who lost his son, Greg, to suicide in 2004) and Rich Roberts (who lost his son, Jason, to suicide in 2009). 

At this program, close to 200 parents squeezed into the Community Room at the Needham Public Library to hear these dads discuss their journey, to ask questions about what each had experienced, and to ask questions they had about their own children and keeping them safe.

This program was very well received (please contact our office for program feedback and evaluations), and also generated many questions from the audience (see a sampling of audience questions)

Out of the above-mentioned program we then have created a new initiative entitled “Challenging Conversations....About Suiicide” in an effort to  afford parents an intimate opportunity to get their personal questions answered, and to provide a forum in which parents can share their personal concerns about suicide and keeping their children safe. Learn more about “Challenging Conversations."

                                 View the Flyer from the 2009 Program

                                            For further information about this program,
                              please contact Jon Mattleman at 781-455-7518 x265 or e-mail