By Crystal Hayduk
The statistics on poor mental health and suicide are alarming, and growing worse every year.
According to the 2011-2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report, on average, 42% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, 22% seriously considered suicide, and 10% attempted suicide in 2021. In 2011, these percentages were 28%, 16%, and 8% respectively. (Link to full report.)
Based on 2021 numbers, the CDC reported suicide as the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-14 and 25-34, and the third leading cause of death for ages 15-24. (Link to CDC report.)
To confront this crisis, promote positive mental health, and remove the stigma associated with mental illness, Noel Dean, Chelsea High School’s (CHS) head football coach, invited Terry Hessbrook to speak to student athletes, their families, and the community at the district’s first leadership symposium on July 10 in the auxiliary gym at CHS.
Hessbrook founded the B#4 Foundation in honor of his son, Brady, who died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2023. The organization “strives to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention through education, outreach initiatives, advocacy, and community service” (B#4 Foundation website).
Hessbrook said he retired from his position as head football coach at Ithaca High School in 2021—the same year Brady graduated from high school. From a young age, Brady had shared the field with his dad, going from water boy to quarterback. Hessbrook had always planned to retire from coaching when Brady moved on to college ball.
Brady signed with Wayne State University. Although he dealt with recovery from a shoulder injury in his sophomore year, things were moving along as expected. Hessbrook said his son was a good student with friends, a girlfriend, and a job. He had faith in God and was known as a leader and role model.
Nobody guessed Brady fought a private battle with poor mental health.
Until the unexpected happened, when Brady took his own life.
The Hessbrooks and Brady’s friends don’t know why Brady didn’t share his struggles or seek help, although the stigma associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses are likely a strong contributing factor.
Hessbrook said, “There are two things you get in life—adversity and opportunity.” How a person reacts to both determine one’s success. “People don’t fake depression,” he said. “They fake being okay.”
University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, professional golfer Lexi Thompson, and U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles have one thing in common, said Hessbrook. They reached out for help with their mental health.
He said, “Mental health issues are not contagious. People who have them are not weak. It is a brain chemistry problem that is treatable. Suicide is not inevitable.”
Difficult times are “a small sliver of your entire life” and things will get better, said Hessbrook. “No matter what you’re going through, tomorrow is a new day.”
Hessbrook left his audience with action steps. First, he challenged them to reach out to one person every day to check on them. If they aren’t okay, commit to assisting them with resources to get help, such as calling 988, the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Second, talk with someone before making any major decision.
To remind them of these actions, Hessbrook gave every person attending a “B#4” wristband. He said it is his hope that people will wear the wristband, share the information they’ve learned, think about what it means before they do anything, and be kind to others.
As the symposium ended, Coach Dean said the district has set a goal to raise $500 for the B#4 Foundation’s work. The Chelsea School District link will be live through July 17. After that date, please donate directly to the B#4 Foundation.
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help.
Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Or dial 988
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
SRSLY Chelsea Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
