Community Corner
An Iowa Woman's Honesty Raises Mental Health Awareness
Sherri Sinclair hopes the story of the death of her daughter and grandson will help others prevent tragedies related to mental illnesses.
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It was a harrowing story, but Sherri Sinclair told it. after the death of her daughter, Kelli Sly, and her grandson, Gavin Sly. Kelli killed Gavin, her son, and then died by suicide.
Prior to her death, Sly showed signs of depression. By telling Sly’s story, Sinclair hopes to raise awareness of mental health-related issues in her community of Waukee, Iowa, and elsewhere.
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Since Sinclair took on this challenge, she’s joined several organizations that aim to prevent suicide and help people learn about mental illnesses. Here, she describes her motivation, grief, and goals she continues to pursue:
Q: What gave you the strength to make the subject of your grief so public?
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A: I am speaking publicly to honor Kelli (and Gavin) because she would want me to do this. I am also doing it in hopes that it might help someone else.
Q: How has taking on this challenge been difficult, and how has it been rewarding?
A: The challenge is not only dealing with the pain of losing my daughter and my grandson, but to speak to others about it. Obviously it's a very painful thing to talk about. I've tried to be very honest about it and to talk about those painful memories of the struggles I had in raising and caring for her, so it's not a memory I Iike to share, but I know I need to if I want things to change — if I want to help someone else. It's hard to see a "reward" because of the guilt with a suicide loss but I'm trying to lessen it by finding a positive way to help others. I think it's my way of healing, too, so that in itself is a small reward. Anything I can do to honor Kelli will be my greatest reward. I have a feeling that she is guiding and watching over me.
Q: What changes have you seen in your community or elsewhere in response to Kelli's story? What changes do you still hope to see?
A: The change I've "seen" in my community and elsewhere is that there seems to be more awareness of mental health issues and less stigma about what that means. Obviously it's a huge issue nationally, too. I'm working to promote more training for teachers, police staff and anyone else in my community who want to know more or need to assist anyone who's struggling or contemplating suicide. If that means telling my story again, I will continue talking as long as I can. I hope to see changes in privacy laws so that families can find help more easily for their loved ones who are over eighteen. Also, so that they have access to medical information. I also hope to see increases in research and more resources to get help.
Q: Do you continue promoting awareness of mental health issues? In what ways?
A: As I said above, I have done some public speaking. I joined a suicide support group and some of us are involved with AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). We hold an annual walk at the end of National Suicide Prevention Week (this year it's Sept. 8 - 14 and our walk is Sept. 15) and we raise money to increase awareness and fund research efforts through AFSP. I have also gotten involved and joined NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness). They offer so many services and programs to help which is why I'm trying to get my community involved with some of these training programs. The more we know, the more we can help.