Turning Heartbreak Into Hope

If you had the privilege of meeting my son, Nick Acevedo, before March 4, 2018, you were truly blessed. That was the day he chose to leave this world. Nick was gifted, funny, empathetic, and talented. His decision to end his life left a profound void—not just for me and my family, but for everyone whose life he touched. Even in his absence, we are constantly reminded of the love and light he brought to those around him.

Six years ago, when I first wrote this letter, I was deeply focused on protecting Nick’s memory. I wanted people to truly see him, to understand his heart, and to recognize the challenges he faced and how he persevered through them, even when things were tough. Over time, with the perspective that comes from processing grief, I’ve updated this letter to reflect where I am today. The truth is, we may never fully understand why Nick made the choice he did. What I do know with absolute certainty is that Nick was deeply loved—by me, his mom, his sis, and everyone who knew him. And if he had reached out for help, we would have been there for him without hesitation. That reality remains as heartbreaking as it is undeniable.

The pictures of Nick on this website tell his story—they capture the cool, joyful, and vibrant person he was. He lived his life with passion and an infectious energy. When you look at these images, it’s hard to imagine that someone like Nick—who seemed to have so much to live for—could make such a tragic choice. That thought weighs on me constantly. If someone like Nick could be lost to suicide, how many other young people might be at risk? It’s a question I grapple with daily, often finding myself burdened with the painful “what ifs” of what I could have done differently.

This website and the charity events we organize are my way of honoring Nick’s life and ensuring that other families never have to endure the same heartbreak that ours has. These efforts are dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and creating an understanding around the realities of depression and suicide, in the hope that more lives can be saved.

Much of what we do through these events is aimed at supporting organizations that provide the resources, guidance, and tools young adults need to navigate the challenges life throws their way. My hope is that these initiatives will spare other families the pain mine continues to endure. And while I often wonder if these efforts are, in part, a way for me to manage my own grief, I also believe that turning this tragedy into something meaningful helps create purpose in the midst of loss. It is a way to honor Nick’s memory and transform this pain into a positive force for change—helping others who are struggling.

I’ve learned how difficult it is to talk about suicide openly, especially with the stigma and misunderstandings that surround it. Since Nick’s passing, I’ve encountered many assumptions and misconceptions about who he was and why this happened. Some have tried to simplify a complex reality. But the truth is much more intricate. Despite the confusion and pain, my focus remains on the devastating impact suicide has on those left behind. Nick’s death shattered my world, and as a father, I find no words sufficient to describe the depth of that loss.

Every day, I think about the future Nick will never have—the life he could have lived, the family he might have had, and the experiences we should have shared. But while I can’t change what happened, I can work to bring attention to the realities of depression and suicide. My goal now is to help other families avoid the unimaginable grief that we’ve endured.

Through these charity events and initiatives, my hope is to shine a light on mental health struggles and encourage open, honest conversations that could save lives. This journey isn’t easy, but it’s one I feel called to walk—for Nick, for myself, and for all those silently battling similar challenges.

This mission isn’t just about my son. It’s about ensuring no other family has to experience the kind of loss that we have. My path since losing Nick has been one of learning, healing, and finding purpose in the midst of profound sorrow. By sharing my experience, I hope to inspire others to reach out, seek help, or offer support to someone in need.

As I reflect on this journey, I’m reminded of words from *Season of Life* by Jeffrey Marx, a book Nick and I used to read together:

There is a destiny that makes us brothers;

None goes his way alone;

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back into our own.

This is why I am doing this—honoring Nick’s memory and working to prevent more lives from being lost to suicide.

Sincerely,
Steve Acevedo
Nick’s Dad
Living to Love Another Day