About Us
A Story of Love, Loss, and Purpose
Honoring Nikolai’s Legacy
A mission rooted in action
Kris’s advocacy led to the passing of Nikolai’s Bill, requiring suicide prevention hotline numbers on student ID cards for grades 6–12 across Michigan.
This milestone reflects the heart of On A Dragonfly’s Wings:
- Turning awareness into action
- Creating real, systemic change
- Making support more accessible for youth
Kris Miller, Founder & Executive Director
On June 20, 2019, my 15-year-old son, Nikolai, died by suicide in our home in Waterford, Michigan. He was diagnosed with ADHD in second grade and suffered for many years with depression. He was an incredibly joyful kid until one day he wasn’t. This was a turning point in his life and that of our entire family. It ended with his death. Or did it?
From the day he died, I questioned all the things and began to immerse myself in the education of mental illness and suicide prevention. That age old saying, “if I knew then what I know now” is heartbreakingly applicable. This is why I have made it my life’s mission to advocate for all our youth struggling with mental health and suicide ideation so that no other family has to endure this same unfathomable grief.
My organization, On a Dragonfly’s Wings, utilizes primarily social media through Facebook and Instagram to focus on breaking the stigma of mental health and suicide. In addition, I write a blog on the website that follows my grief journey from day one to present.
I have been a guest speaker at several suicide prevention trainings talking about Nikolai, his life, his struggles and ultimately, his death. As a member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Advocacy Committee of Michigan, I continue to fight to bring new legislation to the table to support mental illness and suicide prevention. Most recently, I partnered with former Representative Andrea Schroeder on HB 5482, Save Our Students Bill. This Bill was signed into law by Governor Whitmer on October 15, 2020, and requires all public school districts that produce a student ID, to print a suicide hotline number on the back of the card.
In my new role as a member of the Oakland County Suicide Prevention Task Force and a L.I.F.E. Ministry member at Calvary Lutheran Church in Clarkston, I am committed to bringing mental health awareness and suicide prevention education to the community via events and programming.
I firmly believe that using our voices to speak for those we loved and lost, and for those currently struggling, we are making headway in breaking the stigma and allowing all to be heard.
On a dragonfly’s wings we will move from darkness into light.
