Our Story

I am Cheryl Duncan. I created the Ashley Jadine Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, in memory of my daughter, Ashley Jadine Duncan.

Until our family was touched by suicide, I was not aware of the astounding statistics or profound and lasting affects. In 1995, my sister committed suicide at age 31. Years later, in 2012, my daughter, Ashley, did the same. When Ashley began showing signs of depression, I was quickly educated on the difficulties of navigating the system when trying to get help for a teen with mental health issues and emotional instability. While seeking help for Ashley, there were many times I felt helpless and overwhelmed! As she became older, it became even more of a challenge to get help and support for her.  For, the older she became, the more power she had over whether or not she received the help she needed.
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Many deal with issues of denial, shame and isolation after losing a loved one to suicide. Social media played a large role in Ashley's life, and subsequently. it played an even larger role in her death.
She stopped talking and instead, she began expressing her feelings and communicating via Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, to which neither parent or her brother subscribed. As a result of this, in the home, many of her cries for help were not heard. There was little to no proof available to justify her staying in a treatment facility.  But, friends and acquaintances, although aware of her posts on social media, did not take her cries for help seriously. ​

Greater awareness is needed with respect to social media and our response to those who express feelings of depression and a desire to harm themselves or others. In order to recognize the warning signs of depression or suicide, parents must be more involved in following the activity of their children on social media.  I pray the resources offered through the Ashley Jadine Foundation will be helpful in igniting a sense of hope in those who are experiencing hopelessness. Pain is temporary.  Hold on, there is hope!