As we close out April, there’s no question there’s been a lot of loss over the last month that’s been difficult to process:
– It started on April 1st w the loss of Robert Martin from Binghamton Lacrosse.
– Then in mid April, we learned of the loss of Sarah Schulze from Wisconsin Track.
– Just a few days ago, Lauren Bernett from JMU Softball.
– Here in NY, on LI, we lost two boys in separate elementary school districts out east in Suffolk County.
– I had two folks reach out to me this month about two HS athletes – one football player & one track athlete, also lost.
In every case: suicide.
It was so much at once, I commented the other day that: usually I’ll share news like this on multiple SM channels so we can wake ppl up & show the thread….but after that one post that showed the visual of the smiling faces of the college/HS athletes we’d lost, continuing to post these recent losses felt like gut punches. I had to spread them out bc it was just too much.
And yet still, over this month – some online, some in person, I’ve met so many incredibly humble ppl, w that warrior spirit, driven by a bigger purpose: to curb the MH & suicide epidemic.
I’ve met Peg Martin, the mother of Robert – who’s like Super Woman w how quickly after tragedy she’s become an advocate. I’ve met the folks from Morgan’s Message the org formed after the loss of Morgan Rodgers – the Duke Women’s Lacrosse Player to suicide. They’re an incredible crew focusing on the student athlete MH space- a group wanting to hold hands, bc no one org solves this problem alone.
I’ve reconnected w friends from JMU who are more determined than ever to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future. 5 diff moms who’ve been impacted by suicide have reached out to find out how they can partner…& I’ve been fortunate to be able to connect a number of them.
Then this pic: earlier this wk, in Livingston, NJ, over 100 people came out bc a local family said: enough is enough – we have to talk abt this openly. We are all driven by common purpose. WE, together, can make an impact & save lives.
