Last week a Southern University student committed suicide. She was a cheerleader with a bright future. Her last instram post tells an unfortunate story. She indicated that she was 'not ok ' and 'had not been ok' for a long time. I wonder if anyone noticed?
Stop minding your own business. If you see someone whose actions don't appear to be in line with their previous character, say something—do something—help them to get help.
Psalms 30:2-4 tells a story of someone who was also in a terrible emotional state, "O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed men. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name."
For most people from my neighborhood, mental illness is not something that we talk about. The closet willing discussion is about someone who has had a nervous breakdown…that’s too late.
Depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, (just to name a few) are serious medical conditions. If you see someone who appears to be in trouble, they probably are and it’s likely that they have been in a state of poor mental health for quite some time.
If that person is you, it’s ok to say, “I’m not ok.” There are counselors and peer support group options available to help you get back on track.
Let’s stop minding our own business. Step up and say something, ask questions, be nosy. You just might help someone.
Join us on Saturday morning for "My Coffee and My Counselor" for advice on how to get help for yourself or for someone else.