Tyler “Ty” Lewis would have been 25 this year, but after being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and struggling to get the assistance needed to manage her disorder, she took her own life in February 2013; missing the opportunity to celebrate this milestone age.
In an effort to save someone’s life and to make sure that other families do not experience the loss that she and her family have dealt with, LaShawn Lewis Mills, Lewis’ mother, founded There Is Hope Suicide Prevention, an organization to bring awareness to this “unspoken” issue, and to the resources available to those battling with the decision to end their lives.
On Aug. 8, at the Highland Park Reservoir and Rhododendron Shelter, There Is Hope held its 2nd annual 3k Walk for Hope and Suicide Prevention Awareness Picnic. Many celebrated the life of Lewis while recognizing the need to over come the stigma of suicide and mental illness, especially in the Black community.
“The event went well and Tyler would be ecstatic. She would be so happy that we’re trying to reach people, trying to save lives. And I’m sure she’s probably regretting taking her own life,” said Mills. “We’re trying to reach out to people and let them know that there is hope, there’s help out there, and (help) family members of someone who may be suffering from depression or mental illness recognize the signs because I didn’t know the signs.”
Approximately 100 individuals, according to Mills, participated in the walk and picnic that included food, fun, entertainment and information. Although the event, which was held on the same day as several other community events, it was well attended. Mills said she anticipated more and will work to get a larger attendance for next year’s event.
Among the many guests were Jack Owens, a friend of Lewis’ who felt it was important to attend because he “had love for Ty” and misses her, as well as long time family friend Rev. Teeny Jenkins, of Garfield. Rev. Jenkins said she knew Lewis since she was a baby and wanted to support the family. She also encouraged those struggling with the decision to commit suicide to seek help in someone they trust.”
“If they talk to someone, I think they can be talked out of it, but a lot of them wait until it’s too late before they say anything and then it’s too late for someone to do something about it,” she said. “Find someone you can trust—a pastor, a preacher, a minister, a counselor, just find someone you can trust and talk it out with them. They might have some good ideas. And if they don’t, they might have a good listening ear. Sometimes a person just needs someone to listen to what they have to say.”
In the past, and even still today, mental health and suicide were viewed as taboo issues in the Black community, not to be discussed. Mills said since her journey with There Is Hope, she has encountered numerous individuals who have their own stories about dealing with suicide, whether they have their own thoughts, had a family member who committed suicide, or just knew someone who has experienced it. She said it takes people talking about the issue, not just keeping it a “hush, hush subject,” to help prevent it.
Along with saving lives and breaking stigmas, Mills’ other mission is to keep families, or survivors of suicide, as they are often called, from experiencing the pain that will forever remain with her and her family.
“My life will never be the same without her. I still mourn my daughter and cry at the drop of a dime; I go off to myself. It’s something that will be with me forever; for the rest of my life until I meet my child again,” Mills said. “People say, ‘Oh, with time it’ll get easier.” And that is not true for someone that has lost a child. You learn to go on with life, but the pain doesn’t go away and it doesn’t get easier.”
Now that the walk and picnic are completed, Mills said in the fall, the organization also plans to hold all-night bowling events and a support group that will include counselors and guest speakers. She said a local church has already donated its space to her.
“I’m just extending a helping hand to anyone who may need support—a ride, someone to go to support groups with or just someone to talk to,” Mills said. She says, don’t take your life, just call. “I’m not a counselor yet, but I can listen.”
For more information on There Is Hope Suicide Prevention, call 412-969-7354 or email thereishopesuicide@gmail.com.
(J.L. Martello contributed to this article.)
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Download our mobile app at https://www.appshopper.com/news/new-pittsburgh-courier
About Post Author
