From the moment that Kristin Settles came into this world, her mother knew she was going to be a handful. "After all, it took 22 hours to deliver her!” With blonde hair, blue eyes, and a smile that could melt your heart, Kristin was a ray of sunshine. She loved to sing, perform skits, and choreograph dances to her favorite songs. She also loved to write poems and short stories. At every family function, she would perform, and she made everyone laugh. Kristin was very intelligent child. When she was to enter middle school, she was offered advanced placement, but she opted for the honors program instead so she could stay with her friends.

On October 14^th of 2000, Kristin’s world changed forever. Her father, at the age of 37, committed suicide. She was just 10 years old at the time. Kristin received counseling and was encouraged to communicate her feelings, but she continued to search for answers and blame herself for her father’s death.  Throughout middle school, Kristin remained an honor student, but as time passed, she became moody and withdrawn.

In April of 2003, the family moved to Mt. Washington, KY, a small community on the outskirts of Louisville.  Her mother thought the move would be good for Kristin and her sister, Brittney. Kristen was still receiving counseling on and off during this time, but her grades were beginning to drop and she had begun refusing to ride the bus to school.

The summer of 2005, Kristin threatened to kill herself when her mother wouldn’t let her leave the house. She was taken to Kosair Hospital where she was evaluated and admitted to Wellstone for treatment. After one week she was released.  Tina was told Kristin was “self-medicating herself with marijuana.”  Kristin was given counseling and started taking drug tests. She also was placed on anti-depressant medication, but refused to take it. She did not mention suicide again, but her mother said, “She would sway from funny and smart to shy and withdrawn.”

In 2006, Kristin became truant from school and received 30 days in juvenile detention for disobeying a court order to attend school. After being released from detention, Kristin’s school work and attitude improved. By March 2007, her grades were up and she was attending school on time, everyday.  The last week of March, Kristin attended court, and the judge complimented her on her grades and effort.

Tina remembers...

“She was so proud of herself at that moment.  After her court appearance, I took her out to lunch and we talked about her boyfriend, junior prom, and about her getting a part-time job. I told her if she kept up the great work, she could get her driver’s permit. She was so excited.”

On Saturday, March 31^st, Tina noticed Kristin crying. Her sister Brittney said that Kristin and her boyfriend had broken up. Tina and Brittney talked to her about how things would work out and how suicide was not an answer to problems.  Kristin said “Mommy, I would never do that to you.”  “I truly believed her,” Tina said. Later that night when Tina got home, she checked on Kristin and kissed her on the forehead. Kristin and her boyfriend had gotten back together and it seemed that things were okay.

On Sunday, April 1^st, Tina had some paperwork to attend and left Kristin and her friend at the house. Later that evening, Brittany tried to call Kristin, but she got no answer.  

Kristin had died by suicide. She was just 16 years old.

Tina, Kristin’s mother writes…

“What I would like to share with everyone is that there are warning signs. Most of the time, we discount these signs as normal teenage behavior. I did. I learned that Kristin had become addicted to pills. I am not sure how long she had been taking them, but I am sure that she could not control her addiction. I have looked for answers since she passed away, reading her notes and school work, and talking to her friends. I have read everything I can get my hands on about suicide—the warning signs, statistics, and I have talked to the crisis and information center.”

“For parents, I urge you to know the warning signs of suicide and speak to your children. Do not hesitate to go through their personal items, and always trust your instincts.”

“For teens, I urge you to talk with an adult or friend. Remember that what you feel today will not be the same tomorrow. The beautiful thing about life is there is always tomorrow. If you have a friend who is speaking about death or thinking about suicide, tell someone immediately! Please don’t worry that they will be mad. You may save their life!”