In the wake of Cheslie Kryst’s tragic death on January 30, 2022, we wanted to honor her life and emphasize the importance of mental health, especially in the Black community.
We send our most heartfelt condolences to Cheslie’s family. In her honor, her mother stated that you can make a donation to Dress for Success, which is an organization that was close to her heart.
Cheslie Kryst was the image of success: her titles included M.B.A., J.D., Miss USA, and winner of an Emmy Award. Described by those who knew her as a “great light…that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength,” it can seem hard to believe that somebody who experienced so much success would struggle so much internally and take her own life. While our hearts break for her and her loved ones, we must honor her memory in this moment, especially as we focus on Black well-being this month.
This is a wake-up call: one that warns of the insurmountable pressures of our society and cautions that everybody, no matter how they are perceived by the public, is going through something. It is so important to check on your loved ones, and if you are experiencing thoughts of taking your life, please know that you are not alone and there are so many resources that can help you.
It’s important to remember that we all experience pain in our own ways but regardless of our individual circumstances, suicide is a permanent solution to an often temporary problem or state of mind. According to Sounds of Saving, over 93% of survivors of a suicide attempt will NOT go on to die by suicide. Furthermore, for every 1 person that dies by suicide, 316 have seriously contemplated it but don’t attempt. This tells us that we are not alone. It also tells us how important it is to share what is going on with us and to exchange stories of hope and making it through crisis.
If you are struggling, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.