Help and spread hope

When I think of Samuel Parrish, his big, contagious smile instantly appears in my mind. Anyone that knew him can vouch that his smile could illuminate the darkest of any rooms. While Samuel was really nothing more than a mere acquaintance for years and for a brief period, my coworker, his recent suicide has shocked, saddened, and moved me to action.

It’s strange how “aware” I think I am about something…until it really hits home.

“But Samuel was normal. Normal people don’t commit suicide.”

But normal people do. 121 million people in the world are battling depression. Suicide rates have soared sixty percent in the past forty-five years. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among men and women ages fifteen to forty-four. The third leading cause of death? The most frightening aspect of depression to me is the fact that you can’t be certain who is suffering from it. Sources tell me now that Samuel was depressed for months, something I never noticed once when working with him.

One thing is certain, however. I will do everything in my power to make sure suicide doesn’t hit this close to home again. One of my favorite quotes states: “In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.” Grieving death may be the most difficult experience in life, but it is the prime opportunity to make a change and bring hope to others in memory of lives lost.

There are several novel organizations dedicated to finding help for people suffering from depression, self-injury, and suicidal thoughts. To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) began as a movement to help a suicidal friend and via Myspace, quickly became a phenomenon that has since brought hope to over 80,000 people dealing with depression  in 40 different countries. The non-profit organization serves as a community to let young adults and teens know that they are not alone and directs them on where to find help. Events are held all over the country and my dear friend, Ben Skipworth, has been working hard to institute a chapter of TWLOHA at UNA. I’m positive he would be accepting of any help to raise awareness of the organization here in the Shoals. To learn more about TWLOHA, click here.The Healing Place is a local non-profit organization that provides grief support and counseling for those dealing with death and depression. The Healing Place offers its services free of charge. Volunteers are needed to assist with the children’s groups. Training is provided on site. To get involved, contact Amanda at 256-383-7133. For more information, click here.

Oddly enough, September 5th, the day Samuel passed away, marked the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week. While there is nothing anyone can do to bring Samuel back, it’s clear that there are several ways for us to share our strength, love, happiness, and hope to help save the lives of others. Love is the movement. What will you do to to be a part of the solution?

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman

winding down…

The semester is winding down and I am slowly but surely finding time to catch my breath. Spring 2010 is now in the rear view mirror (with the exception of three finals). At the beginning of the year, I vowed to myself to become more involved at school and to focus my energy on helping people instead of thinking of myself first. I’m proud to say I accomplished both. Granted, several days I found myself overwhelmed and exhausted mentally and physically, I am still grateful for all the opportunities I seized over the past four months.

Now, here I sit, less than a week away from packing up Black Beauty for another summer roadtrip, calm and thankful. Other than succeeding at my internship, I have one main goal for this summer: to surround myself with everything I love and enjoy the little things. Easier said than done, but moving to Chicago has been a goal since I can remember. Each summer growing up, the family and the dogs piled in the van and headed North to Illinois to my aunt’s home. From the cool summer breezes to the vast skyscrapers, Chicago’s brilliant features capture my heart with each visit. I remember sitting in a computer class in high school at age fifteen, pricing apartments for my future career with the Chicago Tribune.

This summer, I aim to make my blog posts less sporadic. During the summer, I will not be spread so thin, and I plan to provide you with pictures and tales of all the little things that I am soaking in during my journey to the Windy City practically every day. So stay tuned people, the best is yet to come.