Nina Owen – Author of Throwing It All Away

Depression and suicide are at record numbers in our country. Throwing It All Away gives an uninhibited look at one family’s journey through depression, drug use, and suicidal ideation. It is written by a mother who lost her 20-year-old son to suicide.

The book talks about the son’s struggle to get well, his death, the mother’s indescribable grief and guilt, and the metaphysical spiritual experiences she underwent after his death. Six of the chapters of the book have been taken—verbatim—from the son’s journals, school papers, and other documents.

Suicide rips through a family and a community, leaving destruction in its wake. This book shows that suicide is not always planned; it can be impulsive and, with the right help, can be averted.

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As a professional in the addiction treatment field, I witness daily the devastation and confusion inflicted on individuals, families, and communities suffering from co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. I also see the compassionate connection and spiritual growth of recovery. Throwing It All Away is an honest account of these realities. While her son ended his life without finding peace in this world, Nina Owen has graciously revealed through her own recovery journey that his story is ultimately one of deep understanding, healing, and hope. This is the story of unyielding, overpowering love.

Hayes Owens MA, LADCAddiction Counselor at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Sam may have left this earth, but he will forever be remembered by his family, his friends, and now you – the reader of this book. In this brave recollection of his life, Sam’s mother Nina Owen shares the dark truths and the shining lights that surrounded Sam and shows us all how love ultimately transforms grief into grace and hope.

Kolinda ScialabbaEmmy Award Winning Writer/Producer

Nina Owen lived through one of the greatest blows a mother can experience — the death of her firstborn by his own hand. Fortunately, she did not bear her grief in silence. She tried to make sense of what happened and wrote about it in the hopes of helping others and drawing meaning from her young son’s life. This is a heartbreaking story, well told, that manages in the end to be uplifting. It radiates love.

Jim AuchmuteyAuthor of The Class of ’65: A Student, a Divided Town, and the Long Road to Forgiveness

Beautifully written, Nina Owen has crafted an honest and haunting trek through the grief and depression leading to the horrific suicide of her son, Sam. Through Sam’s writings, conversations, and multiple attempts at recovery, Owen carries the reader on a heartfelt search for answers, while offering the hope that Sam’s story can help others avoid the same fate.

Zachary SteeleExecutive Director of the Broadleaf Writers Association

A heartfelt, in depth, look by a mother, Nina, raw with emotion over her son’s suicide is expertly written. Sam was 20 years old, and a MENSA member. Yet, he had difficulty channeling his emotions and intellect. His existential views on life were well beyond that of any 20-year-old. Pieces of Sam’s writings were very deep. He questioned the normality of this world. Sam defied authority because he was unable to reign in his intellect. An extremely emotional story with a very intense background of Sam and his struggles. Yet, this book keeps moving at a perfect pace. A compelling read! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Janice Lombardo5 Star review on Goodreads

This is a poignant memoir of a mother, her love for her son, and mental health struggles in teens and young adults. I read this over the course of 12 hours, could not put it down! Nina Owen is a gifted author and put words to something so personal and heartbreaking and managed to encourage others in the process. Her words paint the picture of her family’s tragic loss in order to help save a life. If you parent a teen or young adult, or know and love someone in that age range, this is required reading.

Stacy5 Star review on Goodreads