LaOneda Carpenter shared her daughter Mariah’s tragic story stemming from her death by suicide at a poignant Mother’s Day luncheon at a church in May 2017. Following her heartfelt address, a wise elder counseled Carpenter to ensure that Mariah’s voice never fades away. Taking this to heart, Carpenter launched a crusade to keep her daughter’s memory alive, leading to the publication of a book entitled, Mariah’s Voice. This powerful tribute, released as a posthumous gift on Mariah’s 13th birthday in December 2017, laid the foundation for Carpenter’s mission, as she began to accept speaking engagements at various platforms including churches, schools, conventions, and teen summits across Mississippi, Alabama, and the broader southeastern United States.
This tragedy reflects a disturbing national trend, as there has been a “significant increase in the suicide rate among US preteens” from 2001-2007 and again from 2008-2022. According to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide escalated from the 11th leading cause of death in young females during the earlier period to the 5th leading cause by 2022. Dr. Arielle Sheftall, an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, notes that discussing mental health and suicide remains difficult due to the persistent stigma surrounding these topics. She emphasizes that the answers to these challenges must come from community engagement, explaining, “The more we don’t talk about it, the more we can’t prevent it.”
“ADHD (Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder), a neurodevelopmental disorder, is a pressing issue linked to developing suicidal behavior among preteens,” as noted by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-5. This condition manifests through patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, interfering with daily functions. Studies indicate a heightened risk of self-harm in individuals with ADHD, creating pathways that may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal a troubling reality: approximately 30% of young females seriously considered suicide, a staggering increase of nearly 60% from ten years ago. The rise in suicides among youth has prompted significant action from the Congressional Black Caucus, which launched a task force in 2019 to address the mental health crisis affecting Black youth, resulting in a report titled, Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America. This initiative is progressing to funded research stages as communities seek to address this urgent issue.
Mariah’s heartbreaking story echoes a distressingly familiar narrative; she was a victim of cyberbullying by peers she had known for years. LaOneda Carpenter later discovered signs of her daughter’s hidden struggles, including self-harm and unfinished suicide notes concealed in her closet. At the Mississippi Museum of Art, Mariah’s legacy was honored through the program Mind Frame: Exploring Mental Health Through Film—Youth Edition, featuring a screening of the film along with a panel discussion aimed at engaging the community in dialogue about mental health. Carpenter firmly believes in the importance of sharing her daughter’s story, declaring, “If I’ve saved one, I’ve done my job.” Through her advocacy, she spreads critical knowledge about prevention, intervention, and the urgency of mental health discussions.
Carpenter is a staunch advocate for integrating mental health education into school curriculums, stressing the need for “Annual conferences on general education for the community.” She is committed to teaching students about the signs of depression and making mental health awareness a fundamental component of education, especially before they transition to college.
To address these pressing concerns, Dr. Sheftall is leading a significant research project focused on high-risk youth aged 6-11. This initiative aims to gather essential information about emotional regulation, familial relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental health challenges in order to develop effective interventions. “All these factors come together in painting a picture illustrating preventative, protective, and harmful measures within the child’s world,” Sheftall explains.
At the MMA panel for Mariah’s Voice, Dr. Michael Nadorff from Mississippi State University emphasized the need for diverse perspectives in understanding youth mental health issues, stating, “It takes a village to put the pieces together.” Community-driven, proactive solutions are critical for safeguarding the well-being of young people.
The Quitman School District has taken notable steps in this direction with the establishment of the QSD (Quitman School District) Connect mentoring program. Spearheaded by Dr. Minnie Dace during the 2021-22 school year, the program provides mentorship to students in grades three through eight, addressing concerns ranging from excessive tardiness to social skill enhancement. Managed by Daisy McKenzie, a retired educator with 38 years of experience, mentors engage with youth on various topics including self-esteem and coping strategies.
Detra McCarty, a mentor from the nonprofit A Community of Caring Christians, highlights the program’s focus on fostering a safe environment for students to open up about their challenges. McCarty recalls an inspiring interaction with a shy girl who had been bullied, guiding her to connect with a new peer as a confidence-building exercise. The positive outcomes of this mentorship program are evident, as participants display remarkable transformations in behavior, academic performance, and increased emotional resilience.
Through her book Mariah’s Voice, LaOneda Carpenter remains a powerful advocate for youth empowerment, advocating for the importance of mental health discussions beyond the southeastern region of the United States. “They have a voice, and they have a choice, and suicide is not the one,” she powerfully asserts, encapsulating her unwavering commitment to saving lives.
Mariah’s Voice: A Heartfelt Call to Action on Youth Suicide
Well, well, well. If it isn’t LaOneda Carpenter giving us a reality check from the stage of a Mother’s Day luncheon of all places. She stood up to speak about the tragic loss of her daughter, Mariah—a courageous woman tackling a topic we often tuck away under our mental health rugs. After all, it’s just so much easier to talk about the weather or the latest celebrity gossip, isn’t it? But LaOneda’s story demands our attention, like a toddler throwing a tantrum in a quiet café.
Mental health and suicide among youth—hot button topics that can be pricklier than a cactus in a balloon factory. The fact that suicide rates among preteens have skyrocketed from the 11th to the 5th leading cause of death in a span of years feels less like a statistic and more like a very real, very alarming wake-up call. Seriously, should we be slapping ourselves gently or shaking some sense into the community? A bit of both, I reckon!
According to research, it’s not just teenage angst; our younger ones are feeling the heat too. Between 2001 and 2022, preteens are going through an emotional rollercoaster with alarming trends indicating signs of distress. But, let’s be honest—talking about mental health is still like discussing your weight at a buffet. It’s often avoided—and yet it’s crucial for community dialogue. Dr. Arielle Sheftall emphasizes that burying our heads in the sand only allows stigmas to thrive, while haunting our collective consciousness.
LaOneda learned this the hard way. Her daughter Mariah fell prey to the dark side of school life: cyberbullying. You know, it’s charming how kids can find new ways to tear each other apart online, armed with nothing but an internet connection and a complete lack of empathy. But here’s the kicker—it’s not just the typical “kids being kids.” No, no, we’re talking about a culture that seems to legitimize cruelty under the guise of social networking.
Dr. Sheftall brings up a revelation about ADHD being linked to self-harm in younger children. It’s as if mental health is playing a game of Hide-and-Seek, and while everyone is looking for answers, kids are suffering silently in the background. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey also reveals that a troubling 30% of females contemplated suicide. It’s like our youth are being handed a perfectly wrapped gift of despair, and nobody’s bothering to open it or address what’s inside.
In response to this crisis, LaOneda has taken to the stage with Mariah’s Voice, a book that’s both a tribute to her daughter and a much-needed conversation starter about suicide prevention. She pushes for mental health education to be as standard as the mandatory “how to survive gym class” modules, stating that workshops should be held annually to enlighten communities on the signs to watch for. Because let’s face it, it’s time we stop pretending this isn’t happening and start equipping our kids with knowledge rather than ignorance.
But how do we tackle this leviathan of a problem? From the wise words of Dr. Michael Nadorff, it indeed takes a village—or at the very least, some earnest folks who are willing to do a bit of digging to understand each child’s unique story. It’s about building connections; like that glorious feeling when you finally bond with your local dentist over a shared love of weird dental jokes.
Then we have the Quitman School District’s Connect program, which is like that friendly neighborhood watch but for mental well-being. Volunteers spend precious moments mentoring youth, tackling issues like self-esteem and coping skills. It’s a chance for kids to learn to navigate their turbulent inner worlds while discovering that they, too, have a voice worth hearing!
Ultimately, let’s embrace LaOneda’s mission to ensure that Mariah’s story—and by extension, those of so many others—sparks a movement. It is about time we started talking, started listening, and, most importantly, started understanding that these conversations can save lives. So, folks, let’s not let her voice die. After all, isn’t it better to shout about these issues than to whisper about them in the corners of our favorite coffee shops?
In a world where our children should be frolicking in fields of possibilities, let’s ensure they’re not caught in a morass of despair. Because at the end of the day, if we can prevent even one tragedy through collective action, then truly, we’ve done something beautiful.
How can schools effectively implement mental health education in their curriculums?
Understanding the signs and symptoms of mental health issues should be a fundamental aspect of school curriculums. LaOneda is determined to ensure that students are prepared with the tools they need to recognize depression and seek help long before they take a leap into the pressures of college life.
LaOneda Carpenter’s advocacy is resonating deeply, not just in her local community but across the southeastern United States and beyond. She has harnessed her personal tragedy to create a powerful movement by illuminating the pressing need for mental health dialogue and education. The prevalence of youth suicide is a clarion call for all of us to engage actively in discussions that matter, addressing the epidemic of despair young people face today.
The Quitman School District’s innovative QSD Connect mentoring program exemplifies proactive approaches to tackling these issues head-on. By pairing experienced mentors with students, the program fosters a supportive environment where feelings and concerns can be shared openly—an invaluable resource considering many kids nowadays struggle in silence. Detra McCarty, a dedicated mentor, shares heartwarming success stories that demonstrate the capacity of mentorship to transform lives.
Dr. Michael Nadorff’s insights also echo the urgent need for diverse perspectives in understanding and addressing youth mental health. His assertion that “it takes a village” is a reminder that our communities must unite to support vulnerable young individuals navigating the complexities of modern life.
With increasing evidence that mental health crises begin early, the necessity for community engagement, education, and proactive mental wellness initiatives cannot be overstated. LaOneda Carpenter’s passionate plea for awareness and the powerful message within *Mariah’s Voice* invites a reckoning across all sectors of society—parents, educators, and community leaders alike. It is a call to break the harmful silence surrounding mental health issues, ensuring that every child knows they are valued, heard, and, more importantly, never alone in their struggles.
embracing conversations about mental health and suicide prevention is not just a noble endeavor; it is a requisite to ensure the safety and well-being of the next generation. We must champion these discussions, foster support networks, and implement educational frameworks that empower youth as they navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence. If there’s one thing we should take away from LaOneda Carpenter’s story, it’s that we all have the capacity to be the voices of change—loud enough to reach those who need it most.
