Following the death of their 27-year-old son to suicide, Rick and Kay Warren have launched a petition in an effort to raise awareness about mental illness.

Matthew was just one of about 11.4 million American adults that suffered from severe mental illness in the past year. In fact, one in five Americans experiences some sort of mental illness. Join Kay and I, and the Saddleback Family, in our effort to urge educators, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and church congregations to raise the awareness and lower the stigma of mental illness… and support the families that deal with mental illness on a daily basis.

The youngest son of the best-selling author and pastor took his own life on April 5, after a lifelong battle with depression and mental illness. The family is also establishing a mental health foundation in his name … Discuss

Pastor Rick Warren tweeted that he and his wife Kay have been overwhelmed by “love, prayers, and kind words” following the news that their 27-year-old son committed suicide this weekend. On Saturday, Warren sent a message to his Saddleback Church congregation informing them that his son Matthew had succumbed to "a momentary wave of despair." Warren said that his son “… suffered from mental illness resulting in deep depression and suicidal thoughts. Despite the best health care available, this was an illness that was never fully controlled, and the emotional pain resulted in his decision to take his life" …

Kay and I are overwhelmed by your love, prayers, and kind words. You are all encouraging our #brokenhearts.

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) April 7, 2013

President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney will both head to Saddleback Church in Orange County, CA, at the end of August to participate in Rick Warren's Civil Forum. Both candidates will be interviewed about their character, faith and moral beliefs by Warren, who will serve as moderator. In Saddleback's previous Civil Forum in 2008 with Obama and Sen. John McCain, which aired live on CNN, each candidate was interviewed individually, while the other was kept off stage, unable to hear the answers of their rival. Pastor Warren said he expects this forum will go in much the same way ... Discuss