If in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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If in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Will Hudson – a son, brother, uncle, and fiancé – lost his life to suicide on July 5, 2016. He was 38. His family was shocked and devastated as they tried to come to terms with this sudden and senseless tragedy. After months of reflecting on Will’s life and struggles, we wondered what could have been done differently. More importantly, we vowed to find a way to provide hope to people and their families who live with addiction and mental illness.
Will was a kind person with a big heart. He was entertaining with a great sense of humor, had an infectious laugh, and a “sparkle” that brought him many friends. He was an accomplished tennis player and a gifted guitarist. However, beneath his happy and “normal” side, he battled major depression, addiction, and perhaps worst of all, denial of his illness.
Signs of problems began during Will’s teenage years and continued through college, when he increasingly depended upon stimulant medications to help with energy and focus. As a young adult entering the commercial real estate field, he managed to work with a prescribed anti-depressant for a couple of years until the medication quit working. His depression then became more problematic and debilitating, causing him to miss family holidays, work commitments, and even normal daily routines. Will eventually entered an in-patient drug rehabilitation program and emerged after three months with a plan to manage his depression without the over-use of stimulant drugs.
Will committed to stop drinking alcohol in January 2013. He joined AA and benefited tremendously, hoping this would be the solution to his struggles. He spent a solid two years dedicated to recovery and pursuing a healthier lifestyle. He regularly attended AA meetings, avoided alcohol, stopped overusing stimulants, and began playing competitive tennis again. In 2016, Will eagerly returned to the workplace and eventually got engaged. However, after fighting long and hard for nearly twenty years, he lost his battle in July of 2016. While on the outside Will appeared to be in a healthy place, he eventually succumbed to the debilitating and sinister disease he could not escape, a disease he struggled to both manage and accept.
Our mission through this foundation is to offer hope to those battling addiction and depression. And to help all those affected believe and know that, while at times the darkness may be overwhelming, life is always worth living. The journey, though, requires commitment, compliance, and most importantly acceptance. It is our hope that by sharing Will’s story, people struggling and those who love them realize they are not alone. Above all, we hope all those affected will commit to compassion, faithfulness and never lose hope.
Ask others to stop promoting stigma and using hurtful language. Keep in mind the best way to stop others from promoting stigma is to educate them about mental health and to let them know how their words and actions hurt others.
Learn about mental health issues and the devastating effects of stigma. Ask someone who has openly shared about their mental health issues what their experience is like. Knowledge is a powerful tool for dispelling myths and stereotypes. Share your knowledge.
Think of a friend or family member you have been concerned about. Call them to see how they are feeling. If someone you know exhibits sudden changes in behavior or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out to them and make every effort to ensure that they get help.
If you have been feeling down, stressed, or anxious, call or meet with a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you are feeling. Remember that when you speak about your experience with mental illness, you give others permission to share their experiences.
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Will For Hope is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, tax identification #83-3591546.
All donations will support the mission of Will For Hope and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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