By DR. LARRY MOSES
No one asked me but… With the pressure of the world including the isolation of COVID, the rise of inflation, and the problem of unemployment, mental health issues have taken a new level of concern for Americans. With the availability of a social media where bullying can be done from afar and in a sterile atmosphere, Americans have seen mental health problems escalate among our youth. Let me take a minute to relate a story of one boy’s adventure with self-worth. It is a story entitled A Story of Gratitude.
I am not sure who the story teller is but it is a message we should all take to heart. We need to understand that we will be an influencing agent even when we are not aware that we are so. We need to understand that our mental health can be influenced by those we may not know.
Here is a story to illustrate the unintended consequences of a young boy’s actions. This is the story as he related it.
When I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all his books. I thought to myself, why would anyone bring home all his books on Friday? He must really be a nerd.
I had quite a week-end planned (parties and a football game with my friends on Saturday afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
Then I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him knocking all his books out of arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw a terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw tears in his eyes. As I handed him his glasses I said “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.”
He looked at me and said thanks and for the first time I saw a smile on his face. His smile showed real graditude. As I helped him pick up his books I asked him where he lived. As it turned out he lived near me, so I asked him why I had not seen him before now. He said he had gone to private elementary and middle schools. I asked if he wanted to play football on Saturday and he said yes. We hung out over the weekend and I found him to be a really cool kid. Over the next four years Kyle and I became best friends.
When we were seniors we selected our colleges. Kyle was going to Georgetown, I was going to Duke. He was going to be a doctor, I was a business major going to college on a football scholarship.
Even though I had always teased him about being a nerd Kyle was our class’s valedictorian. Graduation day came and Kyle looked great. He was one of those guys who really finds themselves in high school. I could see that he was nervous about his speech so I said “Hey big guy, you’ll be great.” He looked at me with a grateful look and said thanks. He started his speech with “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough high school years. Your parents, teachers, siblings, a coach but mostly your friends. He stated that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give.
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told of the day we met. He stated that he had planned to commit suicide over that weekend. He cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn’t have to and that was why he was carry his stuff home. He stated my friend saved my life. Not until that moment did I realize the importance of my actions. One must never underestimate the power of their actions. One small gesture can impact another person’s life, for the better or worse.
There were sixty-two recorded youth suicides in Clark County from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. They youngest was eight years old and fourteen were eighteen years old. Seventy-four percent of the suicides occurred in the home. Forty-seven percent were by gunshot and forty-four percent were from hanging.
People of all ages are suffering from mental health issues. Our streets are full of people who desperately need mental health services. On Thursday, September 9th The Moapa Valley Educational Foundation along with the Moapa Valley Community Educational Advisory Board and UNR Cooperative Extension 4-H will host a community wide Mental Health Resources Fair. Many community and youth leaders will be helping in various capacities. The goal of the Fair is to help de-stigmatize mental health issues and provide the resources for mental wellness helping families to understand, communicate, and find hope within their mental health needs.
Kevin Hines, a mental health and suicide prevention activist, will speak on the issue. He will speak of his own battle with mental illness that resulted in an unsuccessful suicide attempt. He has since dedicated his life to encouraging others to seek mental health assistance. He is one of the most respected and admired voices championing the cause of mental health for all Americans. Kevin’s story is a testimony of remarkable strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to love the life we have.
This event will take place September 9, 2021, beginning at five pm culminating with a speech by Kevin. It will be at the Fine Arts Building at the Fair Grounds at 1301 Whipple Ave, Logandale, Nevada. There will be booths set up by a myriad of Mental Health providers and a free dinner will be provided by the Moapa Valley Rotary Club. There will be fun games to entertain kids of all ages.
Keep in mind that all the advice you will need for a good life is wash what is dirty, heal what is wounded, warm what is cold, water what is dry, guide what goes off the road, and love people who are least lovable because they need it the most.
Thought of the week…It has been said that one in every four Americans have mental health issues. Look around at your friends and if they seem mentally healthy, you may be the one.
