POCATELLO Melissa Schrade belongs to a group created in the wake of unfathomable grief that no parent ever wants to be a member of. Madison Michelle Thorne, her talented and intelligent 15-year-old daughter, committed herself three years ago.
Schrade has now made it her goal to spread the word and keep other families from going through what she did.
“Every day, something reminds me of Madison,” Schrade remarked. When one of our children decides to leave early, there is no closure, and there is no time limit on how long one can grieve.
In collaboration with Community Suicide Prevention, Schrade is organizing a Shakespearean-themed variety show fundraiser to pay tribute to her daughter’s memory and help those in need. The event, titled A Midsummer Night’s Revue, will be held at the Leavitt Center, located at 1030 East Sublette in Pocatello, on Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m.
The lineup of the revue will include acrobats, a flutist, a pianist, a harpist, and well-known local musician Layne Bowen, among other gifted local artists. The evening will feature a duet by Schrade, a singer-songwriter who is well-known in the community for her work with the Pocatello Municipal Band and the Angel Tones trio.
This summertime event is intended to attract a wider audience while embracing an uplifting, theatrical mood, in contrast to previous fundraisers that Schrade has hosted on Madison’s birthday in February.
This year, Schrade stated, “we’re trying something different that’s not as heavy as having something on Madison’s birthday.” Talented individuals have emerged from the woods to assist.
The cost of admission is not fixed. Any amount of donation is appreciated. The nonprofit organization Community Suicide Prevention, situated in Idaho Falls and providing programs, services, and direct support throughout Southeast Idaho, will receive all earnings. A portion of the money will also be used to support the installation of angel benches in public areas as a way to honor people who have died by suicide.
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Schrade is open about the red flags in her daughter that she failed to notice.
She eventually stopped doing the things she enjoyed, such as playing the piano and acting. The burn was gradual. Her interests seemed to be shifting, in our opinion. According to Schrade, we were unaware of how much she was struggling.
Schrade exhorts everyone to be watchful and proactive.
Speak with anyone you know who appears to be having difficulties. Engage in that uncomfortable dialogue. According to her, it’s far simpler than holding a funeral. Also, look at your children’s phones. They will still be here even if it will irritate them.
She also emphasizes the value of the 988 suicide prevention hotline, which links people to local resources for support.
When I phoned the number myself, I was happy to speak with a real person in Boise who had local connections rather than someone from out of the country, Schrade said.
Schrade keeps speaking out and planning events in Madison’s honor despite her loss.
“My goal is to ensure that no other parent has to go through the heartbreak and helplessness of losing a child to suicide,” she says.
Visit Community Suicide Prevention to learn more about the event or to donate.
