I’m Tired Of My Fucking Friends Dying. And I’m Fighting Back.

Sansa Stark: You’re angry. Sometimes anger makes people do unfortunate things.
Arya Stark: Sometimes fear makes them do unfortunate things. I’ll go with anger.
If the 5 Stages of Grief are true, then I’m clearly in Stage 2.
Sunday’s are a unique day. For some, it’s a moment with their faith or their family. For me, I prefer making moves over munchies and mimosa’s but this isn’t about that.
It’s about Frank and Michael and Susan and Scott and Jacob and Jennifer* (Some names have been changed for privacy).
They’re all dead. And I always find out on Sunday’s.
And today was no different.
As I began my morning, I picked up a call to the sound of hysterical crying. I knew immediately.
Scott had struggled for years in the unending war that is addiction. A loving wife, a blossoming career and a young daughter wasn’t enough to battle benzoylmethylecgonine or as you might know it — cocaine.
Last night was his final destiny dancing with the devil.
Michael had a love affair with Pam’s — not women — but Clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazepam (Valium) and Lorazepam (Ativan). And Pam was always mixed with a pint or more of vodka. I begged Michael to stop mixing and get help.
Last month was his last date with Pam.
I’ve worked in Media for almost 2 decades and the not-so-funny joke is that we’re all “professional alcoholics”.
Have you seen Mad Men? It’s completely true.
Alcohol kills 1 person every 10 seconds in this country.
Frank knew he had a serious drinking problem which dissolved his marriage, depleted his bank account and lost him his job. Hoping that rehab #13 was the magic number, Frank was heading down the right path. But rule #1 of rehab: You don’t go sober.
Frank didn’t make it.
Some data for comparison. Starting from the 60’s — when there weren’t even seat belts — car accidents deaths continually have declined.

What about the “war” on drugs?
Failed miserably and skyrocketing upwards.

And just wait till Fentanyl really hits.

Suicide? ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Suicide is currently at a 30-year HIGH. That ridiculous argument that guns are used for self-defense?
No they’re mostly used to kill yourself.

So what do we do?
SOMETHING. ANYTHING. NOW.
This quote from “Let’s Talk About Suicide” is one step:

We must push the conversation about mental illness forward whether it be in the classrooms of public schools or with our families and friends. These issues are real and lethal, and the first means of prevention is acknowledging their existence.
And Chester Bennington’s own wife had the following to say:
One thing we can all do to help stop the stigma around mental illness and suicide is to look at our words. Words matter. When we say “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide” we focus on the illness rather than blaming the survivors or the deceased.
The answer to “why did someone die by suicide?” is always “mental illness.” That is the reason. And if we can start there, we can move forward, not only to prevent more suicides but to help more people find mental health.
Fuck This. Time To Fight Back.
I’d like to partner with those working on helping to help solve this massive problem affecting humanity today. I have a few thoughts and have spoken with those working on a few different ideas and welcome any feedback and thoughts.
Get help. You’re Not Alone. This Too Shall Pass 🙏🏽
RESOURCES:
In case you or someone you know needs support, here are some resources:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1–800–273-TALK
Crisis Text Line, the free, nationwide, 24/7 text message service for people in crisis, is here to support. For support in the United States, text HELLO to 741741 or message at facebook.com/CrisisTextLine.
Ohio: David All, Co-Founder and CEO of Well HQ, creator of the Desert Recovery Project. Defining and mapping recovery deserts for Opioid Addiction in Ohio.
SEAM: Sober Executives In Advertising
Huddle App: Support Groups

