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.”
Daily Mental Health Tips
There are several ways you can participate in raising awareness and promoting mental health
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…
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…
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.
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