Stop, Look, & Listen

As a mental health clinician & advocate myself; it’s my duty/right—I have to continue to shed light on these pressing issues that our society is FACING on a DAILY basis that CANNOT be ignored or pushed to the side any more just because it may make a person feel uncomfortable to hear and/or talk about—such as (trauma, suicide, depression, anxiety, stress, oppression, suppression, fear, bullying, cruelty, and social/racial injustice) until CHANGE is not only made evident—but followed, lived by, and understood.

SENSITIVE MATTER:
I was driving home from work yesterday evening on my (45 min commute) and as I was approaching the same bridge that the (young man who took his life by suicide on—Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021) on highway US 29... I saw what appeared to be (family & friends) all gathered on the exact bridge/highway above me with “red heart shaped balloons “ in remembrance of him getting ready to release them. My heart just dropped to my lap.
This is —>>DAY 2<<—of this awful tragic event that I witnessed with my own eyes, and I have not been able to close my eyes at night to rest without seeing the image of his body hanging from that bridge .
I am covered by the almighty hands and blood of Jesus. So I am healed and fine.
But I am shedding light on this because we as individuals need to (STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN) for a moment. That’s all it takes...in order to make a difference in someone’s life and change the outcome of their future moving forward.
So as you're going about your busy work days/hussle and bussel of things; I PLEAD OF YOU, PLEASE, stop and speak to the person next to you, that just walked past you in the hallway, break room, bathroom, outside, in the park, the grocery store, mall, wherever. Hold you head up high—SMILE often because you never know who is watching you on the other side. You never know who needs the warmth of your smile to brighten up their weary days. Most of all, offer a listening ear, even for a moment—let them talk your ear off if they have to—only for a moment. Because it’s in that VERY moment, in that SAFE SPACE you have given them a chance to breathe and a reason to live again.
Be blessed in your well doing! But never forget about those around you who may feel unnoticed and not as blessed as you may be.

Blessings & Love,
​
Angela M. Parks, MSW, MA, CYC-P
Mental Health Clinician & Advocate for the Voiceless