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A sweet athletic boy with straight As, a beautiful girlfriend, and a multitude of friends apparently took his own life. The official word is not in and it was announced that he passed away, but the details sound like suicide. It has been a long, somber day. Grief counselors have been here helping those kids whose parents did not pick them up after this devastating news.
Please go home and hug your children.
That is some very awful, sad news. I really wish mental health issues took greater priority in our culture, as depression can be every bit as deadly as cardiovascular disease, and can remain undetected for years. I have personally known people affected by suicide/near-suicide, and all it takes is someone having a single really dark day they're unable to make it through, it's as scary as that. There are times I even worry about my dad regarding depression, and he's been a successful business owner with a marriage of over 35 years who a lot of people would generally regard as a highly positive, charismatic and likeable person. It can affect anyone. You'd be surprised how very alone people who seem to have it all can feel, when questioned about the deeper stuff... Like they can have all these friends, but are unable to deeply relate to any of them and can get caught up in the stresses of school/work/adverse life events feeling like it's solely their burden to bear. So yes... I strongly agree with taking the time to go home and hug your children. Whenever you hear someone say, "It's nothing," or "I'm fine don't worry," push a tad harder... You never know when having just a single heart-opening conversation can literally save someone's life.
OyWithThePoodles, RN
1,338 Posts
I'm so sorry. Love and prayers for your community.
(((hugs)))