putting life into perspective and causing one to reevaluate so many things. In my family’s case, it forced us to battle a demon that so taboo in the black community–mental health.
Mental health is something that is often swept under the rug or we’re told to pray it away. While prayer certainly can provide some value, we need to know and recognize when more is needed.
For my family, we’ve decided to join the battle against depression and suicide by fighting daily to bring awareness and knowledge to the subject. Reggie and Paul were too young and too gifted to leave in the manner they did.
To honor their memory, we started the Reginald and Paul Sewell Foundation. Our mission is to end the silence against depression, suicidal thoughts, and other forms of mental illness not discussed within our communities. My hope is that if you are a friend, lover, or family member to someone fighting depression you are now more equipped with the right tools to fight. We can only win if we do it together.
Please visit online to join our fight against suicide and if you want to make a donation.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255, anytime.
Brandon Herring is a financial professional by day and ratchet scholar by night. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign his areas of specialty include personal finance, entrepreneurship, business, and marketing. He Is a self-proclaimed know it all with a love for his community, and seeks to contribute philanthropically through financial education amongst African Americans.