If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, call the toll-free National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 any time of the day or night.
Ele's Place provides free mental health services to both parents and teens. The Metropolitan Branch can be reached at (517) 482-1315..
LESLIE, Mich. (WLNS) – As families and communities mourn their deaths, families are encouraging others to talk about mental health care.
Leslie High School graduate Max Forman, 18, took his own life on December 30th. A football player and wrestler, he was known for supporting other students.
As the week continued, the community celebrated and honored the young man's death with memorials and fundraisers.
His family and mental health professionals emphasize the importance of talking about mental health, especially listening to each other.
“His smile and energy were so contagious that it was hard to imagine that this kid was harboring sadness, sorrow, pain and grief inside,” said Forman's stepmother, Crystal Hunter. speaks. “In the end, he felt it was too much for him.”
She remembers Max as a dedicated and caring young man who remained deeply involved in Leslie High School's football and wrestling programs even after he graduates in the spring of 2023. He studied sports management at Davenport University.
The family acknowledges the outpouring of emotion surrounding Max's death, but there is a message they want young people to hear.
“We're all friends, let us in,” says Max's brother Brent. “Everyone will talk. You know, it's not something anyone has to hide.”
Max's father, Casey Forman, is urging people, especially young people, to be aware of any concerning behavior or comments made by friends or family members.
“If you receive a sign from a friend, be sure to tell someone or do something about it,” says Casey.
Ele's Place is a Lansing nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting grieving youth and children. Kristin Kunert is the organization's director. She says that while the urge to problem-solve may be an action you can take to support a friend or family member struggling with a mental health concern, it's essential to be there and listen. states.
Listening is important, especially for young people who struggle to understand the complex emotions and waves of grief following a death by suicide.
“It's important to be there for children and help them process emotions that many children don't understand at this time,” she says.
Kunert said many young people may still be in shock and may face grief, anger and physical pain.
“There's anxiety, there's guilt, there's difficulty sleeping. So what we recommend is just sitting down with your child and asking them open-ended questions,” she says.
A key example of an open-ended question, she says, is “Do you want to talk about that today?”
The key to supporting each other through grief, she says, is to talk. So if you notice something a little concerning, it's worth asking.
“And recognizing that everyone grieves differently,” she says. “All emotions are okay. Keep repeating to your child or student, 'I'm here to sit with you.'” I'm here to help you. ”
The key to checking in on someone and their mental health is listening and communication, she says.
Ele's Place provides free mental health services to both parents and teens. The Metropolitan Branch can be reached at (517) 482-1315.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, call the toll-free National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 any time of the day or night.
