My Story
On February 20 th , 2021, I received the worst call a mother could get.
My 20-year-old son took his life.
I had no inkling my son was in a space where he felt like he didn’t belong, though others in his life did. I was lost and ashamed because how could I not know? As I was trying to navigate and foster some type of understanding, on November 13 th , 2021, I received the second worst call of my life. My longtime friend, who was like a brother, someone who held me up at my son’s funeral, took his own life. I was certain the universe was playing a cruel joke on me because how could this possibly be? How could the two happiest people with the biggest hearts leave us all so soon? Why? What did I miss? All these thoughts consumed me.
What made matters worse is not only did this destroy me, but it destroyed the lives of those closest to me. I am a fixer, but this was the one thing I couldn’t fix for myself or those I love dearly.
For months I drifted in pain with grief as a constant companion.
I got up everyday worked and took care of my family, but my soul was devastated. I felt caged because I was the strong one everyone depended on, but nobody knew I was drowning daily. I wanted to give up. I had to. I was convinced I was done with this hellish life. All I yearned for was a hug from my son and brother again. And then…..God stepped in.
On the very day I was contemplating taking my own life, I walked into my bathroom to look in my medicine cabinet and for the first time I saw “Choose You” written on my mirror in my dear friends handwriting.
I had noticed writing on the mirror before but thought it was a weight loss goal I had written myself a year prior. I stared in disbelief at the mirror then chuckled because I knew my friend was speaking to me. CHOOSE YOU was something he told me often as I am the type to always put others before me. Reading those two words gave me hope and it pushed me to call a grief counselor.
During one emotional session, my therapist asked me what I felt I needed to do to navigate the helplessness I felt. It was in that moment “CHOOSE U” was created. I knew I wanted to keep both of their light alive because they touched everyone who knew them. I wanted to educate and offer a safe place for anyone suffering.
I knew I wanted to offer traditional services, but I also knew sometimes that isn’t enough. After the counseling, after the epiphany that you are worth being alive…then what?
Often it’s the despair and the uncertainty that takes over and one feels like they are at the end of their ropes because they have nothing left.
Our mission is simple.
Let us help you explore and navigate the possibilities.
Mental health can be debilitating and often we feel like we have hit rock bottom with nowhere to go. Apart from offering traditional mental health services, Choose U offers general life services. By offering employment, general health and wellness services, exercise plans, housing services, educational opportunities and much more, we hope to help anyone who needs it.
Let us help you walk over that barrier blocking you from seeing the beauty of life.
As the cliché goes….if we can save just one, then it was all worth it.
Martinia Heath
Founder
