Remembering Garrett: One Family's Battle with a Child's Depression

by Gordon H. Smith

Oregon Senator Gordon Smith's son, Garrett, battled learning disabilities and clinical depression for most of his life. At the age of twenty-two, while attending the University of Utah, this popular young man took his own life. As parents, Smith and his wife Sharon, who had adopted Garrett as a newborn, were heartbroken. And, as a senator, Smith was forced to question whether he had the strength or even the desire to carry on in politics. For the first time, Smith candidly retraces his son's life leading up to his suicide. He chronicles the crippling sadness he and his wife faced in the aftermath; and how, with the help of faith and those around him, he not only returned to politics, but became a fearless advocate of suicide prevention. His moving speech on the Senate floor upon the passage of his Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which increases federal funding to combat the ever-growing problem of youth suicide, brought a rare moment of bipartisan support on the Senate floor and helped open a long overdue national discussion. Remembering Garrett speaks from the heart to parents who have experienced the same tragedy, or are fighting for a child struggling with depression.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Mental Health

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 23, 2006

Reviews

[Sarah Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and touching tribute. As a civil servant, Senator Smith had to endure a private tragedy in the public eye and did everything in his power to ensure that some greater good came from his son's illness and death.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I read it outloud to my husband and we both enjoyed (if you can say a book about the subject of mental health is enjoyable) the book. Being an Eastern Oregonian, many of the places and people in the book we knew, this made the book personal to us. I recommend Remembering Garrett to anyone, especially those living in Oregon.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 - This book is about a father who went through the terrible loss of his son to suicide and he is trying to do something positive by working on mental health legislation as a U.S. Senator. I think this book offers a lot of hope to suicide survivors.

Grief is teaching me how alike people really are and that our differences matter less and less. I could not have had less in common with the author....he is male, wealthy, from the West, Morman, a parent, a Republican Senator, etc. while I am a very liberal Democrat from the South. But, I could really see how we were changed in similar ways by our loss. Some of my favorite quotes from the book are...."Life without my son persuades me all the more that the most important work any of us will ever do is that which we do at home. It means the most, lasts the longest, and makes the greatest difference." ...."Since Garrett's death, my focus has changed, my heart has softened, and my backbone has strengthened." ...."mental illnesses can be just as dangerous and lethal to health as physical illnesses."..."The shame and stigma our society feels about mental health must stop, and our national conversation needs to begin."

It seems like a lot of books about suicide loss talk about how it couldn't have been prevented maybe because survivors deal with blaming themselves. I agree with the author's wife that "mental health is treatable and suicide is preventable". Just like I am sure that someone who lost a family member to cancer wants to know that cancer research is going on, I want to know that we are working on suicide prevention. It made me feel hopeful to know that there is a Senator advocating so strongly for mental health parity and suicide prevention, and it helped to educate me on some of the other politicians that share these views and those that don't.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senator Smith's painfully honest look at his son's struggle with bipolar disorder and eventual suicide. As he makes clear, without the right tools and information even the most caring parents or friends have a hard time helping someone with mental health problems. I read the book because I work in Washington, DC, and I remember the news of Garrett's death, as well as how poignant the report about Senator Smith's words about it later were on the Senate floor. I never thought a Congressional Quartely article would bring me to tears, but that story, which included the words of his colleagues who'd also experienced this kind of loss, really moved me. The Senator includes his memories of that day in this book, making clear that the support crossed party lines -- as well it should. He also demonstrates how there is still a lot of ignorance out there about mental illness and suicide. Recent legislation, like the Mental Health Parity Act and the bill named for Garrett, have been steps forward, but we have a lot more work to do to ensure that those with mental illnesses get the treatment they deserve.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senator Gordon Smith (of Oregon) lost his son, Garrett, to suicide after suffering from depression most of his life. This book was good when it stuck to the story of Garrett, his silent suffering, his parents feelings of guilt and having to go on with life. Unfortunately, Sen. Smith spent too much time talking about himself, his work and his life. To me this felt much more like an autobiography of Sen. Smith's life and not the topic at hand...Garrett's suffering of depression and bipolar disorder and ultimate ending of his life.

[Heather Dine Carter · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should not have been called Remembering Garrett, it should have been called "How I Made it to the Top and Oh by the way, my Son Battled Depression". I know it's harsh, but the majority of this book was about Gordon Smith's career path and how he made it to the Senate. 15 pages of the book actually talk about his son. His wife should have written the book, because she was the parent who raised Garrett and helped him get where he was in life. Between all the name dropping and reminscing about his rise to the top, Mr. Smith's book got real old real fast.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad book. I grew up with many challenges and could empathize with Garrett. He obviously came from a loving family. I learned of the love of his parents and how they appreciated his idiosyncracies in addition to everything else.

I wish the book would have told how Garrett's family is doing today, and how they remember Garrett (in addition to the legislation). I would have also wanted to know why others opposed to the legislation for more strident mental health testing of teens/college students.

[Francesca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book for summer reading for my AP Psychology class. I went in expecting more of an analysis on the causes of depression because of this. Instead, I got a book almost completely about the senator's career choices. He barely went into how Garret felt. I suspect that this is because he didn't spend much time with him. He says that his memories with Garret weren't as many as he hoped but his wife replied that she had many. So maybe she should have written this book, so that we could truly see into Garret's world.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching true story told by Senator from Orgegon. It tells of his experiences raising a child with Bi-Polar disorder and his own recovery process after his son committed suicide because of it. My favorite part was hearing how supportive other senators were towards him. I now have a higher opinion Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton as individuals (not necessarily politicians)because of this book.

[Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Gordon Smith this past weekend at a series of Church meetings. His messages moved me, and made me want to learn more about his challenges with his son.

I couldn't put this book down. He really bares his soul, and asks brutally honest questions of himself as he tries to deal with the loss of his son.

Having read this book, I have some thoughts on how I can be a better father. Also, I think I can have more understanding and empathy for others who go through similar loss in their lives.

[Jeannie Tremblay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read - could be done in one sitting. I was upset that the first 60 pages or so were about the author and his life. Then I didn't feel that he gave enough history about his son as a child. Then I wished I knew how Garrett's siblings dealt with his death. All in all, I felt this book could have been developed into so much more. I will say, however, that I wished I had known this young man, and I'm saddened that his life was cut short.

[Leeann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this book. However, I would have liked Garrett's parents to tell us more about his life: stories of his childhood, his personality etc.
Nonetheless, he sounds like he was a wonderful young man and I commend his parents for using this tragedy to bring about legislation that will help other families and children.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, I was really dissappointed. I was hoping for a book about bi-polar disorder, but this was more about the senator's career.

Gordon Smith is a senator from Oregon (Washington? I forget) whose son went to UVSC. Because of his manic depression he eventually committed suicide.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting the phone call that Garrett had committed Suicide and my stupid response of asking if it was a joke. I realized then, I needed to understand more about depression and the suicide epidemic we have not addressed well in the United States. He is still greatly missed.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have known Senator Smith for many years and worked personally with him on several projects. He is kind, compassionate and thoughtful. This story about losing a son to depression is heartbreaking - we must find solutions. Thank you Senator Smith for sharing your most difficult loss.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

important read for anyone who has a loved one or friend battling depression. i interviewed the author and was touched by his loss. profoundly sad.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL BOOK! It's extremely depressing. It's a journey into one man's (happens to be a Senator) life in dealing with his child's mental health problems.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enlightening all the way around--about depression, life of a politician.

[Author Blog Tours · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one and would recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be horrible to live through. It's a good book though.

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was deeply touched by this wonderful book.