East Lyme suicide awareness advocate lauded by New England Patriots Foundation
Jun. 15—EAST LYME — Ann Dagle has been recognized by the New England Patriots Foundation for her advocacy in the wake of her son's suicide.
The foundation this month named Dagle as the grand prize winner of the 2023 Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program. She received the $25,000 prize at a June 8 luncheon at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Dagle started the Brian T. Dagle Memorial Foundation with her husband and two sons in 2014. Now visible on Main Street in Niantic as Brian's Healing Hearts Center for Hope & Healing, the program has evolved to include more than 10 support groups serving 60 to 80 people each month. It also provides education and training on suicide awareness and prevention.
Three years after Brian Dagle ― an East Lyme High School graduate ― died by suicide in 2011 at 19, the Dagles started the foundation and began hosting school forums, support groups and training for those grieving a loved one or hoping to prevent suicide.
"During the early weeks and months of grief, I felt so alone, and that no one could possibly understand," Dagle said. "Those feelings propel me forward. It's important to me that no one should have to be alone in the depths of their grief. The grief groups can't fix their pain or make them better, but we can provide a safe space and be with others who understand."
Dagle, executive director of Brian's Healing Hearts, is a certified suicide prevention counselor, grief counselor, support group facilitator, board member for the Connecticut American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and a chairwoman for the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board.
She said the conversation about suicide needs to "come out of the darkness" to which it was relegated when her son died more than 10 years ago.
"It wasn't talked about back then," she said. "Maybe if it was, my life would be very different."
Dagle was among 26 volunteers recognized for their contributions at the awards ceremony. The others received $10,000 each.
Dagle said her son Brian was a New England Patriots fan who attended games from the age of 8. She hadn't been back to Gillette Stadium since his death.
"It was too hard," she said. "But I think winning this award was a sign. So I plan on going to a game this season."
