February 11, 2017

I know it's long, but seriously, read it anyway. 

The late Lee Thompson Young was born in 1984. At the age of 10, after participating in a few theatrical productions, Lee knew he wanted to be an actor. 

Two years later, in 1996 he moved to New York and one year after that, Lee would audition for the role that launched his career—Jett Jackson. He had roles as Sam in Johnny Tsunami and Chris Comer in Friday Night Lights. He also appeared in Akeelah and the Bee, The Hills Have Eyes 2, Scrubs, FlashForward, The Good Guys, Smallville, and, my personal favorite and his last role, He played Detective Barry Frost on Rizzoli and Isles. 

Through his life, Lee battled with bipolar disorder and depression. In August 2013 he failed to show up for a taping of Rizzoli and Isles. After police were asked to do a well-being check on him, they discovered him deceased in his home, the cause of death a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 29.

The stigma that surrounds mental illness is vast and it’s something that must be worked on. Many people try to suppress the debilitating sadness they feel because they have been told that mental illness isn’t real or you just have to “think happy thoughts.”

In the Black community, we’re sometimes told to pray and everything will be okay. It’s seen as weakness and the word “crazy” is often used. But, when people ignore the feelings and thoughts they have, they sometimes end up losing their lives because they were unable to get the help they need. We, not just the black community, but everyone, must work together to end the negative stigma associated with mental illness and allow people to express their feelings and work through them before it’s too late. 

For mental health screening tools, please visit:http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/mental-health-screening-tools

For the national suicide prevention lifeline, please call 1-800-273-8255

If you or someone you know feels overwhelmed by day-to-day life or expresses lack of desire and interest in things once loved, seek out the help of a licensed therapist or counselor and encourage your friend(s) to do the same. 

Always, always, ALWAYS remember your self-care is more important than people’s perception of you.