This article is about suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org.
‘Breaking Bad’ actor RJ Mitte’s mother opens up about how she’s coping with his unexpected death and offers her advice to other parents whose children are experiencing mental health issues.
Dyna Mitte spoke with The Hollywood Reporter following the celebration of the 34-year-old’s life held at the Mitte Cultural District in Brownsville, Texas on October 16. In the interview, she discussed the months leading up to her son’s death by suicide on Oct. 12, her recommendations that he talk to a therapist, the aftermath of his death and how she wishes other parents would step in to help their children.
“We need to shine a light on mental illness, depression and the importance of being there for each other. The world lost a bright light this week, and that light turned out to be my son,” she told the outlet. “It’s important for parents to realize that there can be big or small signs. If you notice, even in conversation, that there are difficulties or questions, really listen to your children and take steps to help them.”
Although her son had spoken about his inner struggles to his family and team members for months, his suicide “wasn’t something we expected,” she said. She continued: “A mother should never have to reunite with her child like this. It’s a tough pill to swallow.”
Dyna Mitte previously told NBC News that her son spent the days before his death with her and her sister. After he didn’t answer his phone the morning of Monday, Oct. 12, she said she brought lunch to his house and found him dead. For months before his death, Dyna Mitte said, he had refused her suggestions to seek therapy, telling her, “No, I have it,” she recalled.
RJ Mitte and his mother, Dyna Mitte, attend the “King Cobra” cast dinner on April 15, 2016 in New York.
“It wasn’t until he didn’t answer the phone that I recognized that as a red flag, because we talked regularly,” Dyna Mitte told The Hollywood Reporter. She also noted that she thought her son “was in a place where we overcame the difficulty and he was doing well.”
“Even if you think your child needs counseling — whether they want to go or not, whether they’re an adult or a minor — you find a way to get them there,” Dyna Mitte said. “That would be my biggest message. Listen to your children. Watch for the signs. Listen to them, be there for them and be ready to get help when needed.”
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RJ Mitte, who found his breakout role in 2008 as “Breaking Bad’s” Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White, was adopted when he was three days old, his mother said. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy around the age of 3 and has made advocating for the representation of people with disabilities on screen a tenet of his career.
He “was the light of my life”, “passionate and caring from a very young age”, said Dyna Mitte. She later added: “He wanted to change the world and make it better for everyone.”
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She also dispelled speculation that her son had “taken a nosedive” in recent years, telling THR that he has several projects to look forward to in the near future.
“RJ has already released three films this year. He has two more. He has already signed deals on several new films that he was going to do,” she said. “We were talking about different things. He had a book that was coming out. He had a food truck that he was starting. There was a lot going on.”
Before his death, Mitte was promoting his new film “Talking to Strangers,” in which his character, Joshua, also suffers from cerebral palsy.
Reflecting on his celebration of life, during which RJ Mitte’s sister and grandmother spoke, Dyna Mitte said, “I think RJ saw” the support and memories he received.
“I believe that when we get to heaven, God lifts the curtains and reveals certain things. I’m sure he drew those curtains, and RJ saw today exactly who was there, who honored him,” she said. “I think RJ was incredibly proud, and I’m sure he was crying and hearing all the wonderful things that were being shared about him. RJ would have been proud every moment.”
Steps to help someone contemplating suicide
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were nearly 49,000 suicide deaths in 2024, according to the most recent federal data.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides suicide prevention resources, including contacts with concerns and suggested support systems.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s BeThe1To website offers five action steps for opening a line of communication with someone who may be having suicidal thoughts, including asking, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Listen to their response, then “Help them focus on what they live for.”
Being physically or emotionally present for a person over the phone and helping them connect with a support system, including the 988 Lifeline and community resources, are additional steps. Following up to make sure they have the support they need or if there are other ways to help is another essential act that can reduce the risk of suicide, according to the website.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, factors associated with increased risk of suicide include:
Family history of suicide
History of mental health problems such as severe depression, anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders
Impulsivity or aggressiveness
Breakups or other major relationship losses
Access to means of self-harm (unsecured firearms, prescription drugs, poisons)
History of traumatic experiences such as sexual violence or serious episodes of racial prejudice/violence, bullying
Lack of access to mental health care
Multiple exposures to suicide in one’s community or through dangerous media coverage of suicide
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time of the day or night, or chat online via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifebuoy. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7 text support to people in crisis when they call 741741.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: RJ Mitte’s mother talks about ‘red flag’ before finding her son dead
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