Family Begs for Help as They Try to Save a Father and Husband But Let Down by Flawed System

Viewed: 18207

Posted by: JRTyson
[email protected]
Date: May 30 2023 8:43 PM

This afternoon I received an email from a family who is struggling for answers, struggling to know why them? Why did they not receive any help when they begged for it. When this family new better than anyone else that there was a problem, yet was told there is nothing we can do for you.

Just this morning a 15 year old hung himself in Houston County. We do not report on these things because of the sensitivity in nature. But due to this story I feel it is relevant to mention it.

Weeks ago a teenager in Samson killed himself because he was being bullied.

I could go on and on of the suicides that happen just in our area of adults down to teenagers, but I think you get my point.

This article is not on the the fact of people committing suicide but rather what do we do to prevent it. Now I can not speak for the two teens I mentioned above because I do not know their situation. But the story below is absolutely heart wrenching.

With permission from the family I posted in her own words the exact events that occurred over the last few weeks. The mental health crisis in the US must have an overhaul and it must be done quickly.

Here is the story I share with you out of Early County Georgia:

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a parent. But you also can’t be prepared for watching your surviving parent completely fall apart. This week I have seen my mama (and my sisters and myself) absolutely shattered. It’s so hard seeing the strongest person you know be completely broken and hurting in ways you cannot fix. It’s so hard seeing your sisters, children, nieces and nephews, grandparents, and uncle being completely broken while also being completely broken yourself. I’ve spent every day with my mama since Sunday. After everyone else leaves and it’s just us, she and I have laid in bed talking, reminiscing together, crying together, being angry together, and all the emotions that death brings.

I hate what this has done to my mama. I hate what this has done to my sisters and my nieces and nephews. I hate what this has done to me and my children. I hate what this has done to my uncle and my grandparents. But what truly upsets me is that on Thursday, May 18, we all BEGGED for the sheriff’s department to help us get Daddy the help he needed. We showed the videos, texts, and pictures to them. “He won’t do anything to himself” and “we don’t want to put our deputies in harms way” is what they said to us.

On Friday, my mama and little sister were told by the probate judge, they would get some help. Then the probate judge talked to the sheriff and they changed their minds. They wouldn’t help us. We TRIED to have Daddy committed so he could get the help he so desperately needed. But everyone said “he won’t do this.” None of those people were medical professionals. None of those people knew the depth of the situation. Even though we all tried telling them.

Then on Sunday at 6:15, my daddy did what they said he wouldn’t do. My daddy took his life because Early County failed him. On top of all of that, some of the volunteers with the Early County fire department that arrived on scene had the audacity to violate HIPAA and tell people about my daddy before they even left the scene. Before all of our family had been notified. Even told details we had no idea about yet.

I’m mad, I’m infuriated, but most of all I’m utterly and completely broken. My daddy needed help and Early County failed him. This all could’ve been avoided had they listened to the ones that knew him the most.

I say all of this to BEG you…if someone reaches out to you about something, listen to them. If you feel suicidal, call me! I will listen. My family did not deserve this.

Back to my thought. Family members know each other best. There are times that statements are made for attention. I know I been in the EMS/Fire world for a long time. But you never know if they are wanting attention or if they mean what they say. It's not normal for anyone to say they want to die or in whatever words they use. This family did everything they could to help their father and husband and the system failed them.

Be persistent, ask questions and be there for one another. This family did everything they could and unfortunately because they could not get the help they needed, today their loved one is gone. If only the people that had the authority to help would have, what would today look like.

<- back