The world didn't just lose a bright student on New Year’s Eve in 2020. It lost a person who actually, genuinely cared about the "global poor" and the welfare of animals more than his own comfort. When the news hit that Tommy Raskin had died at just 25 years old, it felt like a gut punch, especially coming from a family as public and respected as the Raskins.
People wanted answers. They wanted to know how a brilliant, empathetic Harvard Law student—the son of U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin—could be gone so suddenly.
The Reality of Tommy Raskin’s Cause of Death
Honestly, the truth is both simple and incredibly heavy. Tommy Raskin’s cause of death was suicide. He didn't die in an accident. There was no hidden physical ailment that suddenly took him. His parents, Jamie and Sarah Bloom Raskin, were remarkably transparent about this from the start. They didn't hide behind vague language or "died suddenly" tropes. They described his death as a result of a "blindingly painful and merciless disease called depression."
It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Tommy was the kind of guy who would give half his teaching assistant salary to charity. He was a vegan because he couldn't stand the thought of animal suffering. But inside, he was fighting a war that eventually became too much.
The Note He Left Behind
One of the most heartbreaking parts of this story is the final note Tommy left for his family. It wasn't a long, rambling manifesto. It was short. It was kind. And it was devastatingly clear.
"Please forgive me. My illness won today. Please look after each other, the animals, and the global poor for me. All my love, Tommy."
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That line—"My illness won today"—has become a sort of touchstone for people discussing mental health. It frames depression not as a character flaw or a "choice," but as a terminal illness of the mind. For Tommy, the pain wasn't something he could just "think" his way out of, despite having every intellectual tool at his disposal.
Why Tommy’s Story Hit So Hard
You've probably seen a lot of headlines about celebrity deaths. Most of them fade. But Tommy Raskin’s story stuck.
Maybe it was the timing. He died on the last day of 2020, a year that had already been a relentless nightmare for most of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, just six days later, his father Jamie Raskin was at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th insurrection, literally fearing for his life while still clutching the fresh grief of losing his only son.
The juxtaposition was almost too much for a person to handle.
A "Perfect" Life on Paper
To an outsider, Tommy Raskin had it all.
- Education: He was a second-year student at Harvard Law.
- Family: He was deeply loved by his parents and his sisters, Hannah and Tabitha.
- Purpose: He was a passionate advocate for social justice and human rights.
This is the part that confuses people. We have this image in our heads of what a "depressed person" looks like—someone isolated, perhaps struggling in school or work. Tommy was the opposite. He was a "radiant light," as his father called him. He was funny. He did stand-up comedy. He was a jazz piano player.
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But that's the thing about clinical depression. It doesn't care about your resume.
The Impact on Mental Health Policy
Since 2021, the Raskin family hasn't just mourned in private. They’ve turned that "merciless" pain into something that might actually save someone else.
In Maryland, the Thomas Bloom Raskin Act (also known as 2-1-1 Health Check) was passed. It’s a proactive mental health program where people can sign up for regular check-ins from specialists. It’s not just a hotline you call when you’re in crisis; it’s a system that reaches out to you before the crisis hits.
Jamie Raskin also recently introduced the STOP Suicide Act in Congress. This bill aims to expand "crisis stabilization" services. Basically, it's about making sure that when someone is in that dark place Tommy was in, there's a bridge to get them back to safety that doesn't just involve an emergency room waiting area.
What Most People Get Wrong About Suicide
There's a lot of "if only" when a young person like Tommy dies.
- "If only he had talked to someone."
- "If only he knew how much he was loved."
The reality? Tommy did talk to people. He had "very fine doctors," according to his parents. He was surrounded by a "friendship network of hundreds." He knew he was loved.
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The misconception is that love and medical care are a 100% guaranteed cure. Sometimes, despite the best interventions, the "illness wins." Acknowledging that isn't about giving up hope; it's about understanding the sheer gravity of severe clinical depression. It’s a monster.
How to Honor Tommy’s Legacy
If you're reading this because you're moved by Tommy’s story, his family has made it pretty clear how they want him remembered. It’s not through statues or plaques.
They created the Tommy Raskin Memorial Fund for People and Animals. To date, it has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to causes Tommy cared about:
- Animal Welfare: Supporting shelters and advocacy groups.
- Global Poverty: Funding organizations like Oxfam and GiveDirectly.
- Local Hunger: Projects like "Tommy’s Pantry" in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Practical Next Steps for You
If you want to take action based on what Tommy stood for, here is how you can actually do it:
- Practice "Effective Altruism": Tommy was big on this. It’s the idea of using evidence to find the best ways to help others. Look at organizations like GiveWell to see where your $10 or $20 can do the most actual good in the world.
- Check on Your "Strong" Friends: The ones who seem to have it all together, who are always the "radiant light" in the room. Just because they’re doing great things doesn't mean they aren't struggling.
- Normalize the Language: Use the phrasing the Raskins used. Talk about mental health as an illness, not a choice. Reducing the stigma is what allows people to reach out without feeling like they’re failing.
- Support Proactive Legislation: Look into mental health bills in your own state. Programs like Maryland’s 2-1-1 check-in are models that should be everywhere.
Tommy Raskin’s death was a tragedy that shouldn't have happened. But the way his family has handled it—with radical honesty and a commitment to his values—has turned a private heartbreak into a public movement for empathy.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org in the US and Canada, or call 111 in the UK. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.