There are so many dealing with mental health issues that the pandemic has exacerbated. I implore people to seek help. There is no shame in talking with a professional about your issues. Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to seek help if you were physically ill, don’t hesitate if you have mental distress.
I've been thinking about it this morning. Had a feeling you would write on this. Very impressed with such a quick turnaround. I wasn't aware of this person, but it is especially sad that by all appearances she had "everything." However, mental health doesn't care and I think the only thing that can be done is to recognize that individualism has its limits. People need belonging to other people and easy access to health assistance. Some folks have more holes to fill and different levels of coping skills, but we need not make it so hard to be authentic.
Life is difficult, life is suffering, life is overwhelming, life is traumatic no matter who you are, what you do or do not have, how things appear; we all need help; but we all also can find peace and wellness, and that needs to be the spot from where we all start 🌺🙏💗
I understand we all have struggles mentally emotionally physically and financially! What I can’t understand is with all of the research, social media and support from friends and family why is it those suffering don’t seek help and open up to their loved ones ! My son once told me everyone needs professional counseling! I truly agree! In the world we live there should be no shame in seeking or acknowledging you need help. I tell my children if you are sick in any part of the body seek help if it’s causing you constant pain and turmoil! The body sometimes is not able to do what it’s supposed to do without help from a doctor or medication! I hurt for all that suffer in silence and shame feeling death by suicide is their only relief and their relief leaves a lifetime of suffering for their loved ones left behind! Lord have mercy on us all! Giving my condolences to all families going through any and all traumatic situations and losses🙏🏾
As someone who was clinically depressed in the early ‘90s, the reason people don’t reach out is because they believe the only way out of pain is to end their life. That’s it. They cannot see beyond ending a searing, indescribable pain. They try very hard not to do it, but sometimes the pain wins out.
A lifelong friend jump off a building this past August and it devastates me to think he was in so much pain that the only way to make it stop was to commit such a violent act against himself.
I just hope the message gets out that mental health is just as important as physical health and seeking help must not be shunned.
People don’t see mental illness as tangible like physical illness. And despite all the research and posts there is still stigma. Everyone’s response to this young lady’s tragic death is, “She was so strong. She was so smart. She had so much to live for.” That would not be the response if she had cancer. I work for a mental health organization and we rush to help our patients when they are in crisis. But there is an undercurrent of stigma when an employee mentions mental health issues. Until we deal with why we have stigmatized mental health we can’t help folks.
This is beyond sad. There are far too many of these and similar incidents. Many likely have similar stories and concerns over "what if". Three instances weigh heavily for me, not from knowing the individuals, but extenuating circumstances. First, a beautiful, from all accounts provided to me, young lady who went to FSU (as did everyone mentioned below) killed herself and her former boyfriend (Monica Jordan and Darryl Hamilton); second, the shooting at FSU's Strozier Library (Myron May) which was basically "suicide by cop", and last, the former FSU volleyball player whose life ended tragically too soon (Kiara Wright). All of these were bright lights with tremendously promising futures. Jordan and May were law school graduates and had professional success prior to their demise. And Wright had only just begun her post-collegiate life with promising aspirations. In my opinion, with all the resources availed to each, just as with Ms. Kryst, there were likely preventative measures possible; we will never know. What I do know is after their losses, not enough has be said and done so we may possibly prevent future occurrences. For example, many are aware of President Thrasher's promise to survivors of the library shooting for university support in their continued matriculation and eventual graduation. Fundraising was done, and the proceeds provided. Mr. May's FSU chapter brothers raised over $2,000 to be contributed and were turned away. This was a great opportunity to discuss what had happened with him, not to deflect from the victims of his actions, but possibly to gain insight into how to prevent or help another. The reason for the rejection: not a good look. And many are not aware of the logistics behind Ms. Jordan's death, despite her popularity with her college peers and sorority ties. And Ms. Wright was immensely popular (the same May college chapter did a wonderful job providing her family long distance support as they dealt with the sudden death of their loved one). Bottom line: we must do better; it's not a stigma; it has resonated in our community for years. We must do better.
There are so many dealing with mental health issues that the pandemic has exacerbated. I implore people to seek help. There is no shame in talking with a professional about your issues. Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to seek help if you were physically ill, don’t hesitate if you have mental distress.
I've been thinking about it this morning. Had a feeling you would write on this. Very impressed with such a quick turnaround. I wasn't aware of this person, but it is especially sad that by all appearances she had "everything." However, mental health doesn't care and I think the only thing that can be done is to recognize that individualism has its limits. People need belonging to other people and easy access to health assistance. Some folks have more holes to fill and different levels of coping skills, but we need not make it so hard to be authentic.
Life is difficult, life is suffering, life is overwhelming, life is traumatic no matter who you are, what you do or do not have, how things appear; we all need help; but we all also can find peace and wellness, and that needs to be the spot from where we all start 🌺🙏💗
I understand we all have struggles mentally emotionally physically and financially! What I can’t understand is with all of the research, social media and support from friends and family why is it those suffering don’t seek help and open up to their loved ones ! My son once told me everyone needs professional counseling! I truly agree! In the world we live there should be no shame in seeking or acknowledging you need help. I tell my children if you are sick in any part of the body seek help if it’s causing you constant pain and turmoil! The body sometimes is not able to do what it’s supposed to do without help from a doctor or medication! I hurt for all that suffer in silence and shame feeling death by suicide is their only relief and their relief leaves a lifetime of suffering for their loved ones left behind! Lord have mercy on us all! Giving my condolences to all families going through any and all traumatic situations and losses🙏🏾
As someone who was clinically depressed in the early ‘90s, the reason people don’t reach out is because they believe the only way out of pain is to end their life. That’s it. They cannot see beyond ending a searing, indescribable pain. They try very hard not to do it, but sometimes the pain wins out.
A lifelong friend jump off a building this past August and it devastates me to think he was in so much pain that the only way to make it stop was to commit such a violent act against himself.
I just hope the message gets out that mental health is just as important as physical health and seeking help must not be shunned.
People don’t see mental illness as tangible like physical illness. And despite all the research and posts there is still stigma. Everyone’s response to this young lady’s tragic death is, “She was so strong. She was so smart. She had so much to live for.” That would not be the response if she had cancer. I work for a mental health organization and we rush to help our patients when they are in crisis. But there is an undercurrent of stigma when an employee mentions mental health issues. Until we deal with why we have stigmatized mental health we can’t help folks.
This is beyond sad. There are far too many of these and similar incidents. Many likely have similar stories and concerns over "what if". Three instances weigh heavily for me, not from knowing the individuals, but extenuating circumstances. First, a beautiful, from all accounts provided to me, young lady who went to FSU (as did everyone mentioned below) killed herself and her former boyfriend (Monica Jordan and Darryl Hamilton); second, the shooting at FSU's Strozier Library (Myron May) which was basically "suicide by cop", and last, the former FSU volleyball player whose life ended tragically too soon (Kiara Wright). All of these were bright lights with tremendously promising futures. Jordan and May were law school graduates and had professional success prior to their demise. And Wright had only just begun her post-collegiate life with promising aspirations. In my opinion, with all the resources availed to each, just as with Ms. Kryst, there were likely preventative measures possible; we will never know. What I do know is after their losses, not enough has be said and done so we may possibly prevent future occurrences. For example, many are aware of President Thrasher's promise to survivors of the library shooting for university support in their continued matriculation and eventual graduation. Fundraising was done, and the proceeds provided. Mr. May's FSU chapter brothers raised over $2,000 to be contributed and were turned away. This was a great opportunity to discuss what had happened with him, not to deflect from the victims of his actions, but possibly to gain insight into how to prevent or help another. The reason for the rejection: not a good look. And many are not aware of the logistics behind Ms. Jordan's death, despite her popularity with her college peers and sorority ties. And Ms. Wright was immensely popular (the same May college chapter did a wonderful job providing her family long distance support as they dealt with the sudden death of their loved one). Bottom line: we must do better; it's not a stigma; it has resonated in our community for years. We must do better.