Since I lost my nephew, the subject of depression and suicide is close to my heart, so I found
this article about Kenny McKinley's death very interesting. Especially this, about another athlete--
He finally massed the courage to confront the Saints' hidebound coach, Jim Haslett. He explained that he was seeking treatment for a psychological issue. According to Williams, Haslett used profanity to tell him, in so many words, "to stop being a baby and just play football." . . .
Around the same time, Williams broke his ankle. The team treated his recovery as a matter of vital importance. Trainers and rehab specialists oversaw his every move and asked for near-daily updates on his condition. Teammates texted him daily. Williams was struck by the contrast. "There's a physical prejudice in sports," he says. "When it's a broken bone, the teams will do everything in their power to make sure it's OK. When it's a broken soul, it's like a weakness."
That prejudice isn't just in sports, it's everywhere, certainly among rural communities where guys are supposed to be tough and hardworking and able to handle anything.
Actually, it's just dangerous all around to be a young man. Two days ago in the village of Weagamow in Northwestern Ontario they buried Keegan Williams, just older than our son Matt, who used to come to our house and play when we lived there. He was murdered in Thunder Bay.
To all the young men in my life: It's ok to ask for help. I'm here if you want to talk.
"Does it have to be legible?"
--Ben, when I made him and Steven and Jenny sit down and write hand-written notes to their sisters in the East
Thank you, so much, for your openness about this topic. It is one of the most important health issues of our time, and some segments of conservative Christianity can't make their peace with the idea that mental illness is indeed a physical and medical problem, choosing instead to see it as a weakness of character, and even more tragically, as "sin." Thank you for your sensitive handling of what some in Christian circles continue to view as a shameful topic. Once brought into the light, mental illness loses its power (shame-based though it may have been in years past) to keep us suffering alone in the darkness. And thank God there are so many effective treatments available today!
ReplyDeleteAgain, thank you for highlighting this issue.