‘It can be anybody’: After her son took his own life, Front Royal woman creates nonprofit to help spread awareness

Key Takeaways:

• Dorothy Hicks lost her son to suicide, driving her to action.
• She founded a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of suicide prevention.
• Her motto, “It can be anybody,” underscores the universal risk.
• The story highlights her determination to protect other families from similar tragedies.
• Originally published on August 25, 2025, the piece emphasizes the need for collective effort.

Introduction

Dorothy Hicks of Front Royal knows firsthand the devastation that suicide leaves behind. When her son took his own life, she was flooded with grief and a sense of urgency. Today, she channels that heartbreak into a cause that extends far beyond her own family.

The Family Tragedy

“My son took his own life,” Hicks says, a statement that is both raw and resolute. It was a loss that shattered her world, yet also shaped her mission. She speaks openly about the depth of pain and the need for understanding and action.

Founding a Nonprofit

Determined to create change, Hicks established a nonprofit organization devoted to suicide awareness. Though the details of her initiative are still emerging, her goal is clear: raise public consciousness and guide individuals to the help they need. By turning personal anguish into advocacy, she hopes to spare other families from facing the same heartbreak.

“It Can Be Anybody”

Hicks’s message—“It can be anybody”—resonates because it underscores a sobering truth: suicide does not discriminate. Whether young or old, from a big city or a small town, anyone can be affected. Her nonprofit channels that reality into a call to action for communities to unite and stay vigilant.

Community Support and Awareness

Through her nonprofit, Hicks aims to engage not just those directly touched by suicide, but the entire community. She believes that open dialogue, educational programs, and accessible resources can make a critical difference. By fostering awareness and compassion, she hopes communities will become safer spaces for anyone in crisis.

Conclusion

Dorothy Hicks’s fight is both personal and global: a mother’s love fueling a broader campaign against the silent epidemic of suicide. While no single initiative can erase her loss, her determination to inform and protect others stands as a testament to how heartbreak can become the foundation for lasting change.