It was supposed to be a typical fall weekend: laughter, homecoming celebrations, and family time. But behind the smiles, 17-year-old Deegan Walton was quietly struggling—a struggle no one saw coming. One morning, everything changed, leaving his mother shattered and a community searching for answers. Yet from that unimaginable loss, a story of hope and action began to take root.
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Deegan Walton was full of life—a bright, funny, and adventurous teen who shared his mother Lori’s love of cars and racing. “He was my little sidekick,” Lori, 50, remembers. “We did everything together.”
In the fall of 2023, Lori noticed subtle changes in Deegan’s behavior. Though he laughed and joked with friends, something beneath the surface felt off. After being left out of a small social event—a bonfire—he withdrew further, spending more time alone.
Returning from a trip to the lake, Deegan confided in Lori that he felt deeply sad and needed help. Despite this plea, the pain lingered. On homecoming night, he joined his parents for dinner and a movie, then briefly visited an after-party. The next morning, tragedy struck: Deegan died by suicide, crashing his car into an oak tree just a few miles from home.
The loss devastated Lori, her family, and the entire community. But instead of retreating into grief, Lori decided to share Deegan’s story openly, hoping to help other teens struggling in silence. They started small, inviting a mental health speaker to his school, and later shared his story on TikTok and Instagram. The response was overwhelming: thousands connected with Deegan’s story, and some teens revealed they had reconsidered self-harm after hearing about him.
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From this tragedy, The Deegan Project was born—a Michigan-registered nonprofit offering scholarships for students pursuing trades and mental health fields, hosting inclusive community events, and partnering with schools to provide accessible mental health resources. Lori herself pursued a mental health certification to provide counseling and support, inspired by her son’s life and legacy.
Through sharing Deegan’s story, Lori challenges stereotypes about depression. “None of those things fit the stereotype people have of depression,” she says. “It can happen to anyone.” With the support of the community, Lori continues to balance her grief with her mission, honoring Deegan by helping teens feel seen, supported, and understood.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use, or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
🔹 Conclusion
Deegan Walton’s life, though tragically short, has sparked a movement reaching far beyond his hometown. Lori’s courage in sharing his story transformed grief into action, creating support systems for teens struggling in silence. Through The Deegan Project, his legacy lives on—not as a cautionary tale alone, but as a source of hope, awareness, and life-saving resources for countless young people.