Lubbock mom raises mental health awareness for firefighters after son’s suicide

LUBBOCK, Texas — Nine years after her son, 21-year-old Riley Reding committed suicide, Renee Ross is sharing his story with firefighters and first responders across the South Plains.

Ross said Riley was a great kid with a bright future, setting his sights on being a firefighter and training through the Wolfforth Fire Department.

“He always had a servant’s heart and he always wanted to either be in the military or serve in some way and the fire department was just a natural progression for somebody like him,” Ross said.

Unfortunately, Riley missed a deadline to earn his EMS certification, setting him back a year to become a firefighter. With a few other mistakes made, Riley began doubting himself and his future.

“For Riley, those steps back really were failures to him,” Ross said. “He just kind of went downhill that year and that’s when we saw him struggling with some things that we never had seen him do.”

Ross said looking back, she noticed signs of anxiety and depression in Riley but never expected it to take such a tragic turn.

Riley took his life on August 18, 2015, leaving behind his parents and sister.

A year later, Ross wanted to keep Riley’s memory alive but was figuring out how and where to share his story. She said ultimately, God led her to share Riley’s story with local firefighters and first responders that it’s okay to ask for help.

“I don’t know what else I can do other than tell his story and let people that are suffering with silent depression or anxiety or fear that they’re not good enough. That what Riley did, it didn’t fix everything,” Ross said.

Ross has worked with Lubbock Fire and Rescue and Wolfforth Fire, as well as the South Plains College Fire Academy to help spread Riley’s story to the firefighters and first responders of the future.

“I just want to give them hope, that there’s always hope and God’s got plans for you,” Ross said. “No matter what you think, just give yourself a chance to grow and you don’t have to have life figured out at 21.”

There is also a scholarship in Riley’s honor established and awarded through the South Plains College Fire Academy to a student who shows the same determination and drive Riley had.

A fundraiser will be held Thursday, September 12, at the Falls Tennis and Athletic Center, 4705 112th Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Riley Redding Memorial Fire Academy Scholarship tennis mixer will support the Wolfforth and South Plains College fire academies while raising mental health awareness.

The event will feature a silent auction, permanent jewelry and a style show from the tennis outlet. The sign-up deadline is September 11 and its $40 a person to register. Non-Members are welcome.

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