This is the story of Beth Winter.
Beth was a radiant young woman whose life was tragically cut short by the side effects of Paxil, after taking it for just one week. Her light, her soul, and her spirit continue to inspire our family and everyone who loved her.
Here, you'll discover who Beth truly was, how her death could have been prevented, and how together, we can make sure no other family suffers a loss like ours.
Love, Beth is dedicated to spreading education and healing rooted in truth, love, and compassion for those impacted by SSRIs like Paxil.
Beth Before Paxil
Beth was the fourth of seven children. She grew up in the beautiful hamlet of Islip, New York, on the South Shore of Long Island, surrounded by a big, loving family and a wide circle of friends.
She attended St. Joseph's, an all-girls high school, before continuing her studies at the University of Rhode Island. During college, she spent a semester abroad at Oxford Brookes in London, an experience she treasured.
Beth loved life. She was known for her radiant smile and her openhearted spirit. She delighted in bringing flowers to the elderly, caring for animals, playing tennis, and swimming. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She found joy in the small, simple things and the things that matter most.
What Happened
Beth's life ended shortly after she was prescribed Paxil following a five-minute visit to her primary care doctor.
Learn more below about who Beth was, and about the side effect of Paxil that took her life.
https://www.love-beth.com/paxil-facts
Beth's Story
The summer after graduating from college, Beth was experiencing only mild stress. She had a summer job at a golf course, and that fall — the fall of 2003 — she began looking for work in her field of communications at firms in Manhattan.
During a routine visit to her primary care physician, Beth mentioned she was having a little trouble sleeping that week. In a five-minute appointment, he prescribed her Paxil and assured her it would help.
Beth took Paxil for about a week.
When I saw her at my mom's house, we were preparing for a party, and she could barely ice a cupcake. She told me she felt like she was "jumping out of her skin," as if she were not in her own body. I sat with her that afternoon and prayed over her.
Beth was not depressed. She had no history of depression. Still, I felt a spiritual prompting from the Holy Spirit to ask her if she was suicidal. She laughed and said, "No, I would never do that. Why would you ask me that?"
Two days later, Beth took her own life. She hung herself — something we knew without a shadow of a doubt she would never have done. She had even told me so herself.
At the time, I was working as a social worker. There was nothing in Beth's personality, history, or behavior that pointed toward suicide. She was stable, grounded, peaceful, kind, honest, and deeply openhearted. She wore her heart on her sleeve and shared her feelings freely. She showed no clinical signs of depression.
We knew it had to be the drug.
A simple internet search on Paxil's side effects revealed countless stories — innocent, non-depressed children and young adults who had taken their own lives after being prescribed Paxil for off-label uses like mild anxiety, school stress, even Lyme disease. Many of those stories are harder to find online today than they once were. Still, we connected with families who knew, like we did, that Paxil had taken their child. We remain in touch with many of them to this day.
Our mission now is to inform parents, educate the public, and offer wisdom, grace, and healing to families who need support.
Contact Carin Winter, Beth's Sister at carin@gracehealing.co
Love Beth offers public and private speaking engagements under Grace Healing Arts. Our founder Beth's sister Carin Winter has spoken at the following organizations and institutions:
To learn more or to book a speaking engagement or one-on-one mentoring and coaching session with Carin Winter, please visit
www.GraceHealing.Co or email Carin at carin@gracehealing.co.
© 2025 Love Beth is a project under, Grace Healing Arts copyright 2025, All Rights Reserved. © 2025 Grace Healing Arts. Please Note: Grace Healing Arts LLC — Legal and Ethical Disclaimer: Grace Healing Arts LLC offers spiritual and educational services rooted in Christian values. All sessions, teachings, writings, and materials are provided for religious, spiritual, and inspirational purposes only. Carin does not provide social work, psychotherapy, counseling, or mental-health treatment in any capacity through Grace Healing Arts LLC. She does not represent her work as therapy, clinical treatment, or a substitute for such services. The offerings of Grace Healing Arts are designed to support individuals in developing a deeper relationship with God, prayer, and faith, and in nurturing peace through spiritual growth. Nothing on this website or shared through sessions, programs, or materials should be interpreted as medical, psychological, or legal advice. If you are in emotional distress or experiencing a mental-health crisis, please contact 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911. These resources are provided for safety purposes only and do not imply any professional affiliation or endorsement.
