Spring Forum: Matthew Bocci Talks Trauma & Healing
The final Friday Forum of the year was a somber yet uplifting look at trauma, addiction, and healing with author and speaker Matthew Bocci. The first child of a 9/11 victim to write a book about the ripple effects of the loss he experienced on that tragic day, Bocci admonished students to overcome their fear of sharing their struggles. But first, he led by example.
He told the story of how losing his father when he was just 10 years old and resulting abuse by a family member who took advantage of his suffering led him to a dark time of addiction to hard drugs and alcohol. Now, almost 11 years sober, he’s using that darkness to light the way to recovery for others. “My deepest, darkest days hopefully can become a source of shining light for someone who needs it in their own darkness,” he said.
His goal is to remove the stigma around vulnerability. In any community, there are people dealing with trauma and mental health struggles, and the first step to overcoming these issues is to have honest conversations. “I come here tonight to make a connection with one of you,” Bocci explained. “If one of you will walk out of this assembly this evening inspired to speak up and tell your own story—grab a friend a teacher a coach a counselor a dean, someone you can trust and confide in and begin sharing your own struggle—I personally feel in my heart that I did a good job tonight telling my story.”
Following his talk, Bocci took questions for about 20 minutes, offering further insight into how students can seek mental health help for themselves and their friends. His message resonated with the Millbrook community, where students and faculty work together to ensure everyone is known and needed. “Take care of each other. Hold each other accountable,” he said. “Show that love and compassion—as I said, you never truly know what someone is going through.”
More Millbrook news:
No comments have been posted
