Another heartbreak....For the 4th time
Mike Jensen
Leading Customer Success for MangoApps - Employee SuperApp for Frontline Companies | Technology | Services | Consulting | Marketing | Leadership | FIO Advocate | Humble Leader | Parent | Coach | Card Collector
As we approach the end of March, there are just a few short months left in my daughter's senior year of high school. We (and she) are soaking in these last moments and memories, while also excited about what is on the horizon.
Yet, amid this excitement and anticipation, there is a dark cloud that has yet again formed over her school. For the 4th time in four years, another young soul was lost from her class due to suicide. We received news over the weekend from the school, which confirmed all the chatter among friends and the community.
We feel for the family and all they must be going through.
We feel for the friends and having to process another "why"
We feel for teachers that have to try and focus on teaching when no one wants to learn right now.
We feel for the principal who had to draft another somber message to the school community.
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The list goes on.
Almost exactly three years ago, I posted this LinkedIn article about looking ahead, and preparing for a mental health crisis. And to be honest, that post was about all us adults and working professionals who were now suddenly working from home, home schooling their kids, etc, as we were entering into the COVID lockdowns. I didn't mean to leave out our kids from this, but as I read that old post, the reality is, I did....and I think many others may have as well. We were all caught up in all the sudden change that was occurring around us. And while our kids showed some amazing flexibility and resilience, they too are equally (if not more so) fragile. Fragility requires even more care, and I wonder if maybe we lost sight of that.
My daughter didn't know this person very well but knew people that did. I was inspired to hear that she reached out to those people to see how they were doing. Some had heard already, and some hadn't. But either way, she took the first step in trying to make sure people were doing okay as they processed another loss of life...and she just turned 18.
My call to action for all of us, is to check-in with people, young and old. Make sure they are okay, even if they seem to be. Be a friendly, curious, caring voice. Devote just a little more time to others and their well-being. Along that path, you might find someone struggling, someone needing some reassurance, someone needing another person to talk to and needing help. Stop and help them.
Vice President, Portfolio Marketing @ BMC Software | LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice
1 年My two sons’ best friend and “2nd brother” died by suicide in high school. He was a sweet, funny, compassionate kid. Mental illness with teens is so common, it’s so sad. I’m sorry for your daughter. It’s heartbreaking.
Director of Marketing & Communications @Lions & Tigers l Brand Storyteller l Marketing Strategist
1 年Heartbreaking Mike Jensen. Sending love to your daughter and her school community.
Product Owner at PACCAR ITD
1 年My daughter is heartbroken. She was close to all four childhood friends as well as their friends.
MBA, MSI, MSN | Industry Thought leader | Digital Health Expert | Recovering Code Junkie | Remote Patient Monitoring; medical devices; AI enabled healthcare. Google. Microsoft
1 年I’m so sorry your community and daughter has to learn skills of resilience and support through this experience. Covid shutdowns, as we learn more from studies, mirror what us parents were witnessing first hand. It was not good and the reaping of those choices are coming to bear. Yes, what we can do is be hyper vigilant to support and community that supports our youth. This is such tragic news it’s hard to process anything except - how can I help support those who need it, especially and most importantly our youth . I’m touched to hear of your daughter’s empathy and compassion.