Cheryl La Mastra Counseling

03/09/2023

08/08/2022

This is difficult to read but so necessary! Talk to your children, watch for different moods, anything that’s seems off and deal with it. Even then your child can be a victim. Parents aren’t perfect. Not just parents who need to be aware but teachers and friends. Kindness matters!💔💔💔💔💔

Let me introduce you to Drayke Hardman.
He was 12 years old.
This week, he hung himself with his favorite hoodie from his bunk bed.
His bunk bed.
“Children are resilient”
No.
They are people.
They have huge feelings and minimal coping skills, because THEY ARE BABIES.
It’s our job to change the narrative.
OUR JOB.
It starts with us, as parents.
It stops with us, as parents.
His story is below.
Let it break your heart.
Let it change you.
Let it change all of us.
We have to do better.
Please, stop right now and talk to your kids.
ENOUGH.
💔

“Drayke Andrew Hardman was born to his loving parents Samie and Andrew Hardman on May 26th 2009. Drayke was incredibly loved by his family, he loved sports and had such a kind spirit. Drayke just wanted to be friends with everyone. Drayke had the biggest, bluest eyes. Sadly, Drayke had been experiencing bullying at school. His bully would pick on Drayke for every little thing, but despite this, Drayke desperately tried to be his bully’s friend. His school and parents were aware, and his bully had been previously suspended for bullying Drayke. On Monday, Drayke had come home with a black eye, he confided in his sister that his bully had hurt him. Two days later, on February 9th, 2022 Drayke’s older sister found him hanging with his favourite hoodie from his bunk bed. Drayke’s father immediately started CPR until paramedics took over, after 15 minutes, his heart started beating but the damage had already been done. On February 10th, 2022 Drayke passed away surrounded by his family, he was 12 years old. After his death, his family have started raising awareness for su***de and bullying. Drayke will forever be remembered as a loving boy with a kind heart. RIP Drayke (26th May 2009 – 10th February 2022)”

Please be kind and stand up for others. Be proactive. Teach your kids.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Su***de Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 https://www.su***decallbackservice.org.au/

Headspace: 1800 650 890 https://headspace.org.au/

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Lifeline: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

***de ***deawarness

06/16/2022

How amazing is this? In about a month, on July 16th, there will be a version of 911 for mental health, 988. This will go a huge step towards destigmatizing reaching out for help, towards feeling like there is no place to go, and towards hopefully having mental health resources become for accessible to all. We should all understand that mental health is health, and just like going to a doctor for a broken bone or wearing glasses for vision issues, getting help for mental health should and can become normal.

05/18/2022

This is a reason we can get hurt many times. Opening up to others is good so we aren't carrying our burdens alone, just be careful it is with trusted people and that is usually just a couple of people, and consider yourself fortunate.

02/24/2022

Schedule a time to talk with June on Hope In The Night! Call and leave your information at: 1-800-NIGHT-17 (800-644-4817). If you are dealing with a personal or family issue and would like to hear directly from June on your situation, consider an appearance on a future broadcast of Hope In The Night...

12/28/2021

Goal!

I want to inspire people to have a better brain and a better life. Is the story of your life an inspirational one?

12/22/2021

Today’s the first official day of winter, making it the shortest day of the year. The Northern Hemisphere will have about 8 hours and 46 minutes of daylight today, which seems comically not true, but we assure you… it is. 🌙

Are you already feeling the heaviness of the colder, drearier months? According to the , about 5% of American Adults experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression brought on by the changing seasons, commonly when Autumn starts.

Symptoms include:

💤 Issues with sleep, including hypersomnia
🤯 Difficulty concentrating
🥖 Craving carbohydrates/weight gain
🙅‍♀️ Losing interest in hobbies and activities

Sound familiar?

Read our latest blog co-written by Anxiety and Stress Management Support Group Leader Dr. Givens to learn more about S.A.D. and what you can do to combat it while also making the best of the holiday season.

https://www.mentalhappy.com/blog/seasonal-affective-disorder-and-the-holiday-season