Jennifer Moore, Executive Director, Rhy’s Above . On April 19th, 2021, my son Rhyland lost hiss battle with mental health. To say his loss is the single most devastating experience of my life would be a tragic understatement. Knowing the overwhelming darkness that lead him to that place, eliminating his will to live, is near tied. Uncovering the stigma around mental health that waylaid my son from admitting just how much he needed help and receiving the benefits of treatment is a close second.
Rhyland’s beautiful soul touched the lives of everyone he met. Brave. Bold. Funny. Loyal. Fit. Intelligent. Kind. I could go on for hours. He filled our lives with joy, laughter, and something a bit unidentifiable in its uniqueness. Geuninely someone you just wanted to be around. Lover of animals. Creative ambassador. Protector of those he loved and diffuser of bully’s. The story’s I’ve heard since his passing of how he touched the lives of those around him both warm my soul and bring me to my knees. The fact that his light went out at the age of just 14 still doesn’t feel real.
I started Rhy’s Above to end the stigma. To provide resources, community connection, and education in hopes that one day no parent, friend, or loved one will have to experience the pain of loss to suicide. It’s time to change the conversation.