Rusty's Story
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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.”

HELP IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY

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

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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

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

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
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

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

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!

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

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

May

30

Vaping Program

May 30

Host: Oswego County Health Department
Venue: Oswego High School