Health

op-ed: the emotional roller coaster we face as the murders continue to rise #terencecrutcher

September 21, 2016

Yesterday, a former high school classmate of mine (Who is very active in the movement of social injustices) wrote a status on Facebook. The question was: “How are y’all feeling this morning?”

I knew why he was asking. Yesterday we all woke up to more news of an unarmed black man being killed. His name was Terence Crutcher. He was a loving father, student, brother, and God-fearing man. He didn’t deserve to die.

When I clicked on the simple but powerful post by my former classmate these are some of the statements I read:
“Numb.”
“Hunted.”
“Not Good.”
“Sad.”

“I just want to go home. I already anticipate accomplishing nothing today. I need time.”

“not good man…..im trying to be I swear…but im struggling today.”

“Enraged, broken, exhausted, in danger.”

“Fragile, tired, anxious.”

By Jasmin Pierre*, AFROPUNK contributor

Trauma, in regards to injustices, is very real. I need people to understand that the continued killings are still taking a toll on the mental health of many. We have gotten to the point of not being able to even pull ourselves together over one killing, because another comes soon after. People are tired of this. I’M TIRED of this.

Feeling pain and trauma behind this is very understandable. My words for you today are please take care of yourselves. If you have to log off social media for a few days do it. If you need to avoid the news stations for a little while do it. When your mind isn’t feeling right YOU are not feeling right.

 

*Jasmin Pierre is a 27-year-old mental health activist and author of the new self help book “A Fight Worth Finishing”. She is from New Orleans, Louisiana. Jasmin is constantly fighting for the rights of those suffering from major depressive disorder. She inspires to become a life coach and continue writing to encourage others to never give up.

Facebook: A Fight Worth Finishing
Twitter: @afightworthfin
Instagram: @afightworthfinishing

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