PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Love of T Foundation is addressing the gaps in behavioral health services in Berkshire County, where they say the suicide rate is the second highest in Massachusetts.

Luke Fitzgerald honors his mother Teresa with the foundation in her name.

“Love of T started after my mother's unfortunate and tragic death at her own hands, May 2nd, 2021," Fitzgerald said. "And my mother was somebody that was always there for family, friends, whoever it was that needed her, neighbors. She would always, without hesitation, take time to spend hours on the phone or just sit with somebody that was in need of just an ear.”

Fitzgerald said the idea of Love of T – which focuses on mental and behavioral health - came instantly.

“I started working on it immediately after I wrote her obituary," Fitzgerald said. "I flipped the page and started working on this. And so, the aim is to keep her spirit alive. But I'm ultimately inspired by how she was there for me through my own struggles with mental health and addiction.”

Fitzgerald has a clinical background as an outreach substance abuse counselor with the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office. His team at Love of T now works to help anyone who is struggling.

“The clinical health system is over here and those who are in need of support are over here and there are no services in between," said Serena Johnson, a worker with the foundation. "So, what Love of T is trying to do is fill that gap and provide free non-clinical support for those who are in crisis, having suicidal ideation, who are just living with suicide, suicidal thoughts on a day-to-day basis.”

The foundation hosts drop-in peer support sessions at Billy J’s Elm Street Java House in Pittsfield on Mondays, their goal is to provide 350 hours of peer support in 2023.

“What a peer support service worker is, is somebody who has lived experience," Johnson said, "meaning that they have been through it just like somebody who is navigating suicide, which is incredibly important.”

“It really is something that people cannot understand unless they've been through it," Fitzgerald said. "And no matter what, I'll always be able to relate to one of my peers that's gotten through a situation more so than someone telling me just to 'snap out of it' or telling me something from a book, I think. I don't want to discount anyone from their clinical background, such as myself, but the peer value is second to none.”

Through peer support, Fitzgerald said, lending an ear like his mom “T” would do makes an impact.

“There's not much that can make up for the loss," Fitzgerald said, "but to be able to prevent any more suicides; if we can just prevent one, I think it's a success.”

The drop-in sessions are Monday nights from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There’s also navigating suicide support groups from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. And if you can’t make it in-person, The Love of T Foundation offers one-to-one peer support online. More information can be found on the foundation's website.