The Hagsat Foundation

09/12/2022

As we go through this month and see many posts and information about Mental Health and Su***de Prevention, you might be asking yourself HOW do I reach someone I believe is struggling? Here’s a few off the top of my head:

• send a text, a letter, or visit them in person
• be there for them and ensure they aren’t isolated
• ask if there’s anything they want/need
• help them connect with others around them
• follow up with them everyday
• contact a professional for them if need be

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

04/27/2022

Depression can come in many different shapes and sizes. Even the happiest people you know that seem to have it all going for them can be some of the most depressed.

It’s always the ones that you’d never imagine would be depressed…

Depression is an illness it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. There is no being “too smart” or “too tough” for it. Let’s discard our judgements and start to check in on people before it’s too late.

If you were looking for a sign to reach out to someone you maybe haven’t spoken to in a while and check up on them, this would be it.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

02/25/2022

I used to see my dad and sisters su***des as the worst thing that ever happened to me in my life. I’d ask myself “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?” I resented my childhood experiences of unbearable pain and sorrow. I never understood why it ever had to happen. I hated that I couldn’t live a normal life like most of my friends.

It was only as I got older that I realized these unfortunate experiences were actually an amazing gift. I now have an ability that most do not. I have the ability to understand those who suffer from depression and have experienced su***de and I can relate to them in a unique way that most cannot.

It’s a lot different talking to someone who understands exactly how you feel and what you’re going through than talking to someone who is very compassionate, but cannot begin to comprehend or relate what the pain feels like.

In a way, my past has given my life meaning. I’m here to help other people through the feelings that I felt and prove to them that you can come out on the other side stronger, better and happier.

My line is always open for anyone who ever wants to talk. It doesn’t matter if we’re friends or not, if you think I might be able to understand what you’re feeling or what you’re going through, please please please don’t hesitate to reach out.

In these troubling times it’s even more important to stay HAGSAT: Happy And Good Strong And Tough.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

02/16/2022

One of the hardest aspects of mental illness is that you can’t see it - it’s invisible. And many people don’t believe what they can’t see.

Mental illness should treated similarly to physical injuries. If you hurt your knee, you would go see a doctor. If the doctor prescribed medication to make your knee feel better then you take it. If they tell you to stay off it or do some simple exercises for it, then you do so. Now if you hurt your knee and don’t do anything about it and continue walking/running on it etc. then it is probably never going to get better. In fact, it will likely get worse.

The same goes for mental health. Sometimes you need the help of doctors, therapists etc. in order to get better. There is NO SHAME in seeking help.

The notion that you’re weak because there’s something “invisible” going on is almost laughable. You’re weak for not seeking help. It takes a great deal of strength and toughness to be honest with yourself about not being okay and opening up and seeking help for it.

When things get hard, remember to stay HAGSAT!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

10/12/2021

LINK IN BIO: My good friend Jimmy is running for Minding Your Mind in the NYC Marathon next month!!!

Minding Your Mind’s main focus is to change attitudes and dialogue to end the stigma on mental illness.

This is a great opportunity to help out a really great cause and an amazing organization while supporting a caring and altruistic person in Jimmy trying to reach his goals.

Please see link in bio to contribute! 💙🤙🏻

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

07/01/2021

If you haven’t already, you have to sign up for daily mental health quotes.

I admittedly don’t read them every single day because another random email you get around 8pm everyday is just a little too overwhelming 😂.

But for some reason I opened this one today and it really made me think for a little.

06/23/2021

Men’s Mental Health. You don’t have to suffer and struggle because “you’re a man so you should act like one.” What are men supposed to do/be? Tough. You know what toughness is? It’s admitting you need help and going to get it. It’s a lot easier to just not talk about it, I get it I know.

But that’s not healthy, that’s not tough. As a, I always used to take the HAGSAT mantra of Happy And Good Strong And Tough to mean I had to be physically strong - I only later in life realized that it wasn’t just meant to be physical strength, but rather emotional and mental strength and toughness.

Now, being mentally tough does NOT mean you should deal with your problems on your own. It means you need to seek help and get better for yourself, your family and your friends.

Sources: NAMI, AFSP, CDC, WHO, MHI

In honor of we’re raising awareness for Mental Health and Su***de Prevention in young adults and teens, specifically our friends in the LGBTQ+ community.

Grab a shirt to show your support!!! Link in bio under HAGSAT.org - go to “Shop” section and click one of the pics!!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

06/20/2021

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. If you’re still lucky to have both parents with you, don’t forget to give your dad or mom (shout-out single moms!) a big hug - or at the very least a phone call 🤙🏻

Tanks are still available support mental health programs for the LGBTQ+ community. Link on website in bio!!! 💙

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

06/08/2021

🚨🚨 TANKS AVAILABLE 🚨🚨

In honor of we’re raising awareness for Mental Health and Su***de Prevention in young adults and teens, specifically our friends in the LGBTQ+ community.

Grab a shirt to show your support!!! Link in bio under HAGSAT.org - go to “Shop” section and click one of the pics!!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

06/08/2021

In honor of we are raising awareness for Mental Health and Su***de Prevention in teens and young adults, specifically our friends in the LGBTQ+ community. Grab a shirt and show your support!!!

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and su***de prevention services to le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

05/24/2021

Su***de ain’t selfish.

I’ve been saying it for years. It’s people with depression, BPD or any other mental illness causing them to see death as the literal only way to stop their suffering.

It is the final symptom. A final collapse those who bear unbearable sorrows endure. Su***de is a tragedy.

This is why it’s so frustrating to hear other people say “su***de is selfish” when they’ve never ever been close to that brink to understand.

However, while it’s not “selfish”, su***de is still a transference of pain to the living world.

Nobody dies by su***de because they’re selfish, they do it because they’re hurting. Please don’t judge or make conclusions on something you have never experienced.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness

05/14/2021

Everyone always says what a shame it is and how sad it was when someone commits su***de. Why are we waiting until it happens to talk about it? Reach out to someone you know, especially if you suspect they might be struggling, because you might be exactly what they need.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

***deprevention ***deawarness