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Mental Health Affects Us All

“Hi, I’m Vinny Lobdell. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I want to share how my family has been directly impacted by mental health challenges. In 1994 when I was 13 years old, my older brother Rusty was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Despite the fact that one in five Americans live with a mental illness, proper care was almost impossible to find in our small Central New York town. Less than a year after his diagnosis, Rusty died by suicide. He was just 19 years old. In honor of my brother, my family and I have made it our mission to raise awareness about the importance of mental health. This past November, we donated $1 million dollars to Oswego Health in hopes of giving other people access to the kind of care and support that we wish Rusty had.

Unfortunately, even thirty years after my brother’s death, there’s still a stigma surrounding mental health. Our goal is to normalize discussions about the topic, reminding people who are struggling that they’re not alone. Openly talking about mental health awareness is crucial to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourages people to seek help. By taking small steps towards promoting mental health, people in Central New York can make a big difference in their community.”

old photos from the childhood and life of Rusty Lobdell for Rusty's story
old photos from the childhood and life of Rusty Lobdell for Rusty's story
old photos from the childhood and life of Rusty Lobdell for Rusty's story
old photos from the childhood and life of Rusty Lobdell for Rusty's story
old photos from the childhood and life of Rusty Lobdell for Rusty's story

HELP IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY

Call 988
Text 988

Call to speak with someone at the suicide and crisis hotline 24 hrs a day. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or worried about a loved one, there is hope.

Daily Mental Health Tips

There are several ways you can participate in raising awareness and promoting mental health

The Lobdell Family share the emotional story of Rusty Lobdell, their brother and son who died by suicide in 1995 at the age of 19 after struggling with Schizophrenia. Their hope is that by sharing their story, as painful as it is, the Lobdell family can help prevent others from living the same path, and comfort those who think they are struggling alone. “As a family who has personally experienced the devastating effects of mental illness, I can’t stress enough how important it is to talk about it openly and honestly. Mental health affects us all, whether it's personally, or someone we love. We need to break the stigma and encourage people to seek help without shame or fear of judgment.” – Vinny Lobdell
Let a loved one know that you're thinking of them via a text, direct message, or a quick phone call. Just knowing that someone cares can be invaluable.
Inspire others by sharing your personal mental health journey. If you or your family struggle with mental illness, don’t keep it a secret- verbalize and help others. I believe my family's greatest success will be from sharing my brother Rusty’s story with others.
My brother was just 14 when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and 19 when he died by suicide, it’s extremely important check on loved ones about how they are feeling. Just because someone looks and sounds happy, doesn't necessarily mean that all is well. Check their social media, and ask them how they feel, and look for warning signs.
Offer to help people in your life . Offer specific help versus a blanket "Just reach out if you need anything!" statement. A person who's struggling won't always reach out for assistance, even if they could use it. By saying "Do you need me to pick up some groceries for you?" or "Would you like me to pick up your kids from soccer?" you're making it easier for them to accept help.
Know that mental health fluctuates. A person can have great days and terrible days all within the same week. Be willing to listen without judgment. Don't try to fix the problem or encourage them to move on. Let them feel their feelings for as long as they need to. Don't push positive thinking. This invalidates the person's feelings and struggles.
Practicing self-care is an essential part of maintaining good mental health. Take part in activities that you enjoy or relax doing-- I like to exercise, it greatly helps me to stay in a healthy frame of mind. People can focus on self-care by engaging in activities that promote relaxation and reduce stress. Some examples include meditation, yoga, exercise, journaling, and spending time outdoors or something else entirely. It’s all about finding an activity or two to help you to unwind and recharge healthily.
Remember help is only a phone call away. Call 988 and speak with someone at the suicide and crisis hotline 24 hrs a day. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or worried about a loved one, there is hope.
Share resources! People in Central New York can participate in Mental Health Awareness Month by sharing resources about mental health with their friends, family, and community. Share articles, books, podcasts, or social media posts that provide helpful information about mental health.
Address Any Stigmas you may have! If you want to address mental health awareness, it can be important to look at yourself to see if you can identify any areas where you are contributing to the stigma that exists. This includes thoughts like believing people with mental illness are more dangerous than others or feeling like they may not be as capable in the workplace. Let's make this May a time of reflection and action towards creating a healthier community.
Educate yourself about Mental Health. Another way that you can participate in Mental Health Awareness Month is to educate yourself on topics around mental health. It may also mean learning about specific mental illnesses, like bipolar disorder, by reading a study on it. Understanding mental illness in more detail can help you see how it can affect people’s lives and allow you to have more empathy for others. Your new knowledge might also help you overcome stigmas, misconceptions, or prejudice that you once had about mental health topics.
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Check on them! Just because someone looks and sounds happy, doesn't necessarily mean that all is well.
Offer specific help versus a blanket "Just reach out if you need anything!" statement. A person who's struggling won't always reach out for assistance, even if they could use it. By saying "Do you need me to pick up some groceries for you?" or "Would you like me to pick up your kids from soccer?" you're making it easier for them to accept help.
Don't try to fix the problem or encourage them to move on. Instead, be willing to listen without judgment. Let them feel their feelings for as long as they need to.
Don't push positive thinking. This invalidates the person's feelings and struggles.
Offer assistance in finding resources, like a therapist who accepts their insurance.
Know that mental health fluctuates. A person can have great days and terrible days all within the same week.
Let them know that you're thinking of them via a text, Facebook message, or a short phone call. Just knowing that someone cares can be invaluable.
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Next
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Rusty's Legacy

The Lobdell Family shares the emotional story of Rusty Lobdell, their brother and son who died by suicide in 1995 at the age of 19 after struggling with Schizophrenia. Their hope is that by sharing their story, as painful as it is, the Lobdell family can help prevent others from living the same path, and comfort those who think they are struggling alone.

“As a family who has personally experienced the devastating effects of mental illness, I can’t stress enough how important it is to talk about it openly and honestly. Mental health affects us all, whether it’s personally, or someone we love. We need to break the stigma and encourage people to seek help without shame or fear of judgment.” – Vinny Lobdell

Resources

Written by Nancy Lobdell in 1993 after receiving her son Rusty’s schizophrenia diagnosis

I saw him chase a Butterfly

Where did my happy little boy go? I see him in my mind so

many times, but when I look at him, he’s not there anymore.

I think back to see him…

He’s laughing, he’s dreaming, so full of life, so eager to explore,

I saw him chasing a butterfly…

Read Poem

He picked a bouquet of dandelions for me.

Barefoot and muddy legs.

A gentle love for nature.

He loved to fish. He jumped in the leaves piled so high,

Made forts in the woods and ate apples off the trees. He could

Swim like a fish.

Muddy sneakers…

I saw his muddy football uniform in the laundry room last night #32…

Little piles of dirt from his baseball cleats that led to the refrigerator

A smile on his face after a win.

I saw him on his dirtbike yesterday. Him and Steve were driving

his old truck with Meggie in the front seat out in the field.

He had Kool-Aid stains on his mouth. I heard him sing the “Gambler.”

He looked in the kitchen window and said “I love you mom”

He said, “Look at me, I’m riding my bike with no hands”! He said, “I’m so proud to be Rusty Lobdell, Thanks Dad, I love you!”

He would spend hours dragging things outside to camp out, but in the

morning, I would find him asleep in his own bed.

Last night I saw him and Scott and Benji sitting by the fire under

the stars talking about girls.

I saw him fishing in the boat with Dicker, the sun was setting,

it was a beautiful sight.

I heard him and Bug laughing in bed, they were laughing so hard

they were crying. It made me laugh.

I saw him with tears in his eyes. I could feel his sadness, his pain.

He was eating strawberry shortcake with Gab as he walked out the

door I heard him say “I love you Gabby.”

He caught a jar of lightening bugs and put them in his room.

He got his ear pierced.

I saw him comforting Amy when she fell down on her rollerskates

he kissed her and helped her up and wiped her tears away.

Last week he made a hockey goal for Bug in the barn.

I saw them skating on the pond today.

He was a Christmas tree in his second grade Christmas play.

I saw him sitting on his suitcase in the driveway. He was 6 and

running away from home. He was covered with snow, he came in after

a while with snowy white eyelashes and said I think I’ll stay.

Yesterday I saw him and Brian swimming together in the pond.

I could hear them laugh. I heard them sing “you’ve lost that

lovin feeling”

I saw him laying on the floor next to Meggie asleep.

I saw him playing catch with Bug today, they raced down to the pond

and jumped in with no clothes on!

I saw him and Heather chasing each other around the yard, they were

laughing and playing, His first and last love…

I saw him chase a butterfly

It was like yesterday to me…

The poem 'I Saw Him Chase a Butterfly' by Nancy Lobdell

Rusty's Life

You Are Not Alone

Mental health affects us all, whether it's personally, or someone we love. We need to break the stigma and encourage people to seek help without shame or fear of judgment.

Help is only a phone call away- Call 988 and speak with someone at the suicide and crisis hotline 24 hrs a day. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or worried about a loved one, there is hope.

Together, we can create a community throughout Central New York that supports and advocates for mental health. Let's make this May a time of reflection and action towards creating a healthier community.

Help is only a phone call away

Resources

Dial 911 if you are in immediate danger.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Dial 988 for the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services hotline.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Hotline. This toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK, the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network of more than 150 crisis centers, including Contact Community Services in Syracuse.

 
Community Services Hotline

(315)-251-0600 Contact Community Services Hotline, provides 24-hour telephone counseling.

Veterans and Military Crisis Line

1-800-273-8255 Press 1, Veterans and Military Crisis Line

Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line, a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Program (CPEP)

(315) 448-6555. Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Program (CPEP), 301 Prospect Ave., Syracuse. This licensed psychiatric emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center provides evaluation and treatment for individuals of all ages who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis.

Oswego Health logo

events

Support in Action

Events to come

May

1

Mental Health Month Press Conference

May 1, 1pm

Community coming together to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month and share collaborative effort to raise awareness. Questions, email info@oswegohealth.org.
Host: Oswego Health
Venue: Lakeview Center for Mental Health and Wellness

Miles for Mental Health
Host: Oswego Health
Venue: Virtual
Internal challenge for Oswego Health employees to raise awareness by walking or running throughout May.


Vaping Program
Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Central Square High School

May

2

Stress Free Zone

May 2

Stress Free Zone
Host: SUNY Oswego
Venue: SUNY Oswego
Students will have the opportunity to decompress/destress before final exams start. Activities include free chair massages, painting, coloring, etc.

Vaping Program
Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Central Square High School

May

7

It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health with The Desens House

May 7, 12:30pm

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Elim Grace Church

May

10

Talk Saves Lives: Suicide Prevention

May 10, 7pm

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Virtual

REgister

Mental health programming
Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Phoenix High School

May

11

Mental health programming

May 11

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Phoenix High School

May

16

Mental health programming

May 16

Host: Oswego Health
Venue: CW Baker High School
Jacob Mars to speak on teenage mental health and suicide prevention to 9th-11th graders

Click here

May

17

Mental health programming

May 17

Host: Oswego Health
Venue: Oswego High School
Jacob Mars to speak on teenage mental health and suicide prevention to 9th-12th graders

A Community Conversation Around Mental Health
Host: Oswego Health
Venue: Oswego High School
Time: Resource Fair 5-6pm; Program 6:30-8pm
A community public awareness event created to give you, your family, and your community the answers you need on mental health, mental wellness, and suicide prevention. Dan Reidenberg, Psy.D., Executive Director of SAVE will facilitate a teen panel discussion and an adult panel discussion. Prior to the program, community organizations and mental health professionals are invited to participate in a resource fair. This is a free event, open to all!

Learn More

May

19

Talk Saves Lives: Suicide Prevention for Members of the LGBTW+ Community

May 19, 1:30pm-3pm

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Oswego County Health Department

REgister

May

22

Mental health programming

May 22

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Oswego Middle School

May

24

Mental health programming

May 24

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Oswego Middle School

More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention for Parents of Teens
Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Virtual
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

REgister

May

30

Vaping Program

May 30

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Oswego High School

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