Melanie Balestra’s New Book Confronts Teen Suicide with Courage and Compassion

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

When a parent loses a child, the world stops. When that loss comes by suicide, the silence can be deafening. In her deeply personal new book, Suicide A Mother’s Journey Through Her Child’s Pain, Melanie Balestra breaks that silence—and in doing so, she offers comfort, guidance, and a vital message for every parent.

Balestra, a pediatric nurse practitioner for over 45 years and an attorney for 23, brings a unique lens to this heartbreaking subject. But her credentials aren’t what give the book its weight. What sets this work apart is her vulnerability. The story centers around her daughter, Leah, who battled invisible emotional struggles for most of her short life.

“I thought I’d be the perfect mother,” Balestra shared. “I knew pediatrics. But I didn’t know mental illness.” From the moment Leah was a toddler, Balestra sensed something was off—insomnia, intense shyness, a pervasive sadness. She sought help from professionals, but was repeatedly told it was “normal” and that Leah would grow out of it. She never did.

After Leah’s tragic suicide, Balestra discovered her daughter’s journals—raw, revealing entries that painted a picture of deep suffering, masked by a cheerful façade. “She never let her real self come out,” Balestra explained. “Writing the book became a cathartic experience for me. It helped me understand what she was going through. And I knew other parents needed to see these signs too.”

The book is both a memoir and a manual. It includes actual excerpts from Leah’s diaries alongside clinical insights Balestra has gained through her long medical career. The result is an emotional, highly practical resource for parents, educators, and anyone struggling to understand mental health in young people.

Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 24 in the United States. And yet, many parents remain unequipped to identify warning signs or navigate the maze of mental healthcare options. Balestra’s mission is to change that.

“There are so many signs,” she said. “Mood swings, isolation, declining grades, irritability, sleep issues, or even overachieving behavior—sometimes kids hide behind a perfect exterior. Leah was very smart and knew exactly what her therapists wanted to hear. But inside, she was falling apart.”

One of the book’s most powerful elements is its guidance for grieving parents. Rather than focus solely on the loss, Balestra and her surviving daughter, Lisa, have chosen to celebrate Leah’s life. “We talk about her all the time. We remember the good things. We still feel her with us,” she said. “Grief doesn’t have to be the end. It can become a purpose.”

That purpose now includes advocacy. Balestra is on the board of the San Diego Center for Children, where she supports programs that go far beyond medication—incorporating art, music, equine therapy, and family counseling. “We have to broaden how we treat mental illness,” she said. “It’s not just about pills. It’s about connection, conversation, and compassion.”

The book also emphasizes that parents should never dismiss their instincts. “If you feel something is wrong, push for answers. Be relentless,” she advised. “Don’t settle for being told it’s just a phase. It might not be.”

Perhaps most poignant is Balestra’s message to parents who feel helpless. “Just listen,” she said. “Not to respond, not to fix—but to truly hear. Validate your child’s feelings. Let them know it’s okay to not be okay. And remind them they’re not alone.”

Suicide A Mother’s Journey Through Her Child’s Pain is now available on Amazon. It’s more than a memoir—it’s a lifeline for families in crisis and a courageous call to pay closer attention.

Because sometimes, the most important thing we can do for someone we love is simply not look away.