Remembering Jeremy Paulson -#endthestigma
On October 30th, at the age of 36, my brother, Jeremy, lost his battle to mental illness. A feeling he could not shake took hold of him, and this time he felt there was no way out.
Jeremy was a bright light in the world. Whether you were a stranger or a friend, he was the sweetest, funniest, most caring guy to everyone. He was a person this world needed for much longer than we got.
In 2014, Jeremy graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He had big dreams of giving back to his community. He could not do many things he wanted to due to his recent struggle with his mental health. He had extensive hospitalizations on four separate occasions. During each hospitalization, I hoped someone would work with Jeremy to get him the help he desperately needed. Most recently, Jeremy's last hospitalization was in April. Prior to him being released, I called half a dozen outpatient programs to enroll him. I felt like I was at a roadblock trying to get the help my brother needed because if you can’t pay the fees or don’t have insurance to cover it, you’re out of luck.
I tell my brother’s story to put a name and a face; thousands of Americans slip through the cracks in the behavioral health care system or don't get the help they need because they feel less than to speak about their struggles. The stigma associated with mental illness is overbearing. I'm here to say, Jeremy left behind so many who held him incredibly dear to their hearts. If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.
If you can do so, please consider donating to cover the expenses and other costs associated with Jeremy's passing. All proceeds exceeding these expenses will be donated in Jeremy's name to a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information, education, and support to those who have Mental Illness.
My goal moving forward from this tragedy is to live a life in his memory, spread awareness, and prevent another family from experiencing the pain we've endured. This fundraiser hopes to eliminate the financial burden of this tragedy for our family.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful donations.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 across the US @ 1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/
Survivors of Suicide Support Group
https://srrn.net/