MIAMI (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart is speaking out about his son’s suicide and the need for more preventative mental health services.
The attorney and former Miami congressman spoke Thursday before a U.S. House subcommittee, encouraging lawmakers to work together to promote suicide prevention and educate the public about the need for intervention to get treatment to those in mental health crises. Diaz-Balart’s spokeswoman said the testimony marked the first time he has spoken publicly about his son’s death.
Diaz-Balart said his youngest son Daniel encouraged him to come forward about the May 2013 death of 29 year-old Lincoln Gabriel “LG.”
Diaz-Balart said LG took medication for his depression but that as a father, he’d wanted to believe love was enough to help his son.
