Suicide Prevention is an essential necessity in our modern world. Thirty two years ago my brother died by suicide. Hushed secrets, shame & disgrace prevented our family from talking about it. Instead, my mother anguished year after year in silence. I buried it and it took on a life inside my precariously promiscuous wild life.
[Do you talk about mental illness? Are you aware of those around you that suffer in silence? End the silence, shame and reach out. Ask, “How are you? Can I help you? Are you okay?” If they say nothing or “I’m fine,” ask again. Dig deeper. ]
After becoming a mother, my thoughts of keeping my kids safe took those buried thoughts place, & they got shoved down into the dank corridors of my mind.
The birth of my fourth child brought about several anguishing days & nights. Many I felt like we wouldn’t live through. Five suicide attempts, two lengthy in house facilities & legal eagles surrounding our house.
Fourteen years of teaching 1,826 students, behavioral research, over 400 therapy sessions, thirty-five IEPS, a Masters in Education, several professional development hours, 40 podcast episodes of story-sharing and mental health advocacy— I walk to raise awareness & support kids, families, people.
I walk because we have a world where kids & adults are in turmoil & fear exacerbates the stigma many face. We need to end the discrimination in schools, criminal justice system, medical field, homes & work places.
Check out my episode on “Stories of Hope with Jayc”
I advocate in my classroom, through sharing stories of people from all over the world living with mental illness, supporting or advocating to end the silence and shame.