Trautwein to Speak on the Power of Life Teammates

Sacred Heart University and a host of community partners including the My Friend Abby organization, Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention and Counseling, SHU’s chapter of Alpha Tau Omega and Webster Bank will present a talk by former major-league pitcher John Trautwein who will discuss his personal story of tragedy and hope.

Titled “Life Teammates®: Leveraging the Positive Power of Peer Networks,” Trautwein will present his powerful message about combating teen and young- adult suicide at Sacred Heart University on Wednesday, December 4, from 7-9 p.m. at the Edgerton Center for Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public. Additionally, there will be a book signing following the program. Books will be available for purchase prior to the talk.

When Trautwein and his wife Susie lost their teenage son Will to suicide in 2010, there had been no warning signs that their popular and apparently happy son was struggling. They realize that people in today's society simply don’t talk about sadness, loneliness, and depression. To raise awareness about suicide and the challenges young people face in today’s world, John and his wife created The Will to Live Foundation. The Foundation encourages young people to turn to each other for help and support. Teens and college students already have wonderful peer networks in place, such as athletic teams, a close knit circle of friends, classmates, neighbors, church groups, clubs, co-workers, scout groups, etc. By leveraging the strength and positivity of those relationships, young adults facing loneliness and depression, can make contact with an instant support system. The Will to Live Foundation is on a mission to encourage kids to talk about it and serve as “Life Teammates” as they encounter life sorrows and joys.

“John’s personal experience of the loss of his son Will is a powerful story for us all,” said SHU President John J. Petillo. “Through the creation of The Will to Live Foundation, John and Susie have taken their tragedy and turned it into something positive. We hope teammates, their parents, counselors, teachers, church youth leaders, college students and anyone with a connection to teens and young adults will come to hear John’ s powerful message.” 

For more information regarding “Life Teammates,” please visit https://www.teammatesfourlife.org/.