With her son gone, NY mom rode across US to raise awareness that he lived, and struggled
Even now it's hard to believe Brock Curtis is gone. Photos show a happy life of travel and family and friends. Playing baseball, skydiving, visiting five continents. But he's gone.
He took his own life at 24 on Jan. 12, 2021. His mother, Debbie Curtis, wants you to know about him
"A great kid," she said. "Tall, 6' 3", so handsome. Very athletic. Very empathetic. He traveled the world. He studied abroad in Korea, in Peru. He felt comfortable with new places and new people and new things. Brock was very outdoorsy. A stop and smell-the-roses kind of guy.”
But like so many people, Brock suffered mental illness. Three years before his death, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
"We think he had a psychotic break and didn't realize what he was doing. There was no indication that day, or any day before that," his mother said..
It was Tuesday evening as she spoke. She had just arrived at the home of her brother, Wayne Tallman, of Lesha Drive in Falls Township, having ridden her bicycle 3,600 miles from San Diego, in Brock's honor. Phone in hand, she showed a picture of her son and her together, smiling.
"There he is," she said, with a mother's loving look.
More than 50,000 Americans completed suicide last year, which is the most of any year on record, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a leading cause of death in the United States.
Brock had sought help. He had checked into a psychiatric facility where he spent 10 days. It wasn't enough. He was embarrassed by his condition.
"There's stigma," said Curtis, 62, who lives in Buffalo, New York, a retired professor from Niagara University's School of Hospitality.
"The whole mental health system is very difficult as far as getting the right fit, the follow-through, getting appointments. My husband and I have good jobs, decent insurance, are well-educated, and we had a hard time navigating the system. I can’t imagine what people, who don’t have the benefits we have, get through it," she said.
Grieving, she decided to raise awareness. There's now an endowment in Brock's name from Niagara University. Also a website for the Curtis-Tallman Family Foundation, online at "4TeamBrock.com."
But that wasn't enough. So she came up with a coast-to-coast bike ride.
"I walked into a bike shop and I asked the guy, ‘Can you recommend a bike to go across the U.S.? And the guy looked me up and down, and I could see the cartoon thought bubble coming out of his head: 'Sad old lady. No chance,' " she said. "But moms have a level of determination to do something when it comes to their children. And I knew this would be an attention-getter."
She rode solo, along highways for most of the first half, no entourage. She drew news coverage from Buffalo to Wichita, to Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.
Arriving in Lower Bucks County, she was greeted to cheers and by about 20 family, friends and her brothers' neighbors.
Wednesday she finished her journey at Battery Park, New York, at the viewing point for the Statue of Liberty.
"Then I take a train back home and continue the work," she said.
If you or a loved one is struggling, individuals can call, text, or chat by dialing 988 and will be directly connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: NY mom takes mental health mission across US to honor son
