“Phoebus is dead, ephebe. But Phoebus was a name for something that could never be named…the sun must bear no name, golden flourisher, but be in the difficulty of what it is to be.” – Wallace Stevens
Life at 17 is meant to be so different. You’re young; vibrant; full of life; a whole new world awaits you.
The cute boys and girls awaiting you at college; the adventures you’re going to have in your first car; the experiments in forbidden fruit; the sports you’re going to excel at or the geekdom you’re going to embrace instead (or maybe both).
17 is a time for celebration; it shouldn’t be about being remembered for the things you enjoyed and feeling helpless and bitter for the ones you were yet to discover.
Remembering Jacob Weiskopf
Jacob Weiskopf was just 17 when he took his own life a few short months ago on July 19. The son of my friend Anne Weiskopf, everyone that knew him spoke of him through fond and special words.
When I was driving home from work early last night, there was a single star in the sky. Normally it would have been too light out to see any stars, but this one was was the brightest I’ve ever seen. To Jacob, the baddest bitch in heaven – you outshine everyone else. I hope you know how much we all love and miss you.
Jacob was the best at weird compliments/declarations of affection.?My two personal favorites that he used on me were: ?”You’re my heroine and crack”?and ?”You know I love you more than Lana loves sweaters that fit well”.
I met Jacob when he was a patient in my office. So full of laughter and always smiling. I came to love that young man as if he were my own. Every time he came in he would come around to my desk and say “here I am” and I would get the biggest hug. Always made my day.
He had a cat named Obi Wan?? Why am I just finding out about this? Omg… This makes me love him that much more.
These are just a few of the words taken from the wall of the In Memory of Jacob Facebook group set up after Jacob’s death. Looking through the assortment of pictures and memories shows a young man full of life, happy and mischievous.
Sadly, like many others that shine bright on the outside, on the inside Jacob battled the darkness of depression. Despite the love and support surrounding him, and the arms that were ready to catch him every time he fell, on July 19 Jacob’s depression won the battle. His smile and infectious character was gone.
But we can help his memory live on, and help others that take their own lives through depression, through a special project by the IMAlive project.
Giving Hope and Strength to Others
The Kristin Brooks Hope Center operates a service called IMAlive. It?s?the first online crisis chat centre?- a place where people in dire need?can get instant help from trained volunteers. It?s not a cure-all; it?s?first aid that can help someone get to more lasting assistance.
While anyone can use the IMAlive service, it may be particularly useful for young people. And young people are especially vulnerable to depression and suicidal.
- More than 1 in 10 young people in the US have a depressive disorder.
- Depression can lead to distorted thought patterns and suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Suicide is the tenth most common cause of death in the United States?and Canada.
- For every death from suicide, 11 attempts are made.
- Only homicide and traffic accidents cause more death among those 15-24 in the US.
- Providing information about care resources and referral to professional is an effective way of preventing a suicide attempt.
- 11 % of young people in the US have a depressive disorder, and suicide in in the top three causes of death for those 15-24.
But the good news is that treatments and support are out there that can help young people deal with their depression.?And you can help.
The IMAlive 24-7 Giving Challenge?gives those who are at their lowest ebb access to trained volunteers online. A chat may be the first step to help, and the end of a downward spiral.
If we can raise $50,000, the Kristin Brooks Hope Centre will be able to keep their chat service up and running 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, until next August. Currently, the total stands at just shy of $25,000, with a little less than a week to go.
Here’s how you can help:
I?m a member of Team Jacob, a group of people touched by the loss of?Jacob Weiskopf.?We?re participating because we want?to help keep young people like Jacob around as long as we possibly can.?Your donation can help IMAlive reach that goal.
Do it. Click here, or use the special Team Jacob widget below, to?donate between September 8 and 14, National Suicide Prevention Week in the US.?There are prizes and draws for donors. If you?re interested in those you?can learn more at the Challenge home page.
As someone who’s spoken about my own suicide attempt when I was just a few years older than Jacob, I know how important a project this would be for people in that situation.
Thank you. Your donation may be the difference between grief and joy.