Oliver's story

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To know Oliver was to love Oliver. Born and raised on Martha's Vineyard, Oliver was a true island boy. Like most, he had a love for the outdoors and animals. When he wasn't exploring the swamps and backwoods of Aquinnah, he was propositioning his parents for a new pet. Without fail, Oliver would win which lead to a household full of reptiles, chickens, cats, dogs, bunnies and more; his nurturing spirit made caring for these animals easy. He had a compassion that not all understood.  It was quiet and reserved but it was deep. He showed up in ways other's wouldn't and had feelings that other's didn't. He was an old soul. 

In early adulthood, Oliver was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His diagnosis didn't come easily; it was with trials and tribulations of high school, relationships, sports, college and more. Bouts of anxiety, depression and OCD followed by recreational drug use that evolved into self medication. By 19 he had been in and out of detoxes and rehabs, all for each program to spit him right back out into the environment in which caused it--and so the cycle went--much like it does for many others on Martha's Vineyard. Part of the cycle was the stigma that addicts and mentally ill individuals face, even more prominent on an island that spans twenty by nine miles. Oliver found very few resources and therefore it made his healing harder. His hometown had become a trigger and with the increasing opioid epidemic, things got worse before they got better. 

During the summer of 2019, Oliver made the decision to move to Delray Beach, Florida. He was met with open arms and a community willing and able to help him. He was committed to becoming the best version of himself; medicated, clean and sober. He began the 12 step program, started to facilitate meetings and encouraging others with their own healing. He was rich in what he had; great friends, good food on his table, a lucrative job and a supportive family. He became dedicated to exercise, filling his days at the gym and diving into nutrition and health. He was learning to love life again.

In 2022, Oliver experienced  a relapse. An accidental overdose on fentanyl that left him intubated in the hospital for three days. Immediately following the overdose that he was lucky to survive, he was put into detox and treatment in Indiana where he remained for six months. It was during that time where he began the 12 steps over again and committed himself to healing, but the biggest roadblock was his mental illness. He felt that clean and sober or not, he was faced by the challenges of his mental illness.

In the years following, his sobriety was wavering. His bipolar disorder made it difficult to flow through life. Although he found himself surrounded by love and support, his struggles weighed him down. He often referred to himself as having "cement blocks" on his feet which made everything feel heavy and hard. While Oliver was trying to navigate his bipolar disorder, his anxiety and depression were at large and his coping mechanisms were to use. 

On October 18th of 2025 Oliver took his own life by intentional overdose. Oliver had been prescribed Wellbutrin for his depression and Klonopin for his anxiety. The two drugs to help him were the two drugs that tragically killed him. 

Oliver's struggles and challenges with mental health and addiction are common. His story is one to be shared, not one to be stigmatized or ignored. So many individuals in our Martha's Vineyard community face similar realities and through The IDLE Project we hope to bring awareness, offer resources and promote healing through health and wellness. 

***If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress, we encourage you to reach out for help. Suicide prevention helplines provide free and confidential emotional support 24/7.

Call or text 988 to get connected now, or chat online via 988lifeline.org***