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This Man Found The Best Way To Honor His Brother After Losing Him To Suicide
This Man Found The Best Way To Honor His Brother After Losing Him To Suicide
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This Man Found The Best Way To Honor His Brother After Losing Him To Suicide

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According to World Health Organization, around 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is not only a horrifying number in statistics, but also the second leading cause of death among the people aged from 15 to 29  around the world. The loss of a life is especially heartbreaking knowing that it could’ve been prevented. A 39-year-old physician assistant Topher Bradshaw recently shared his story on loss, suicide, and mental issues in an attempt to spread awareness. “Dealing with the loss of my brother was the most pain I have been through” Bradshaw told Bored Panda. “Losing my brother, the only family I had, the person that traveled through hell with, was really hard. I was lost for years. Drank almost every day. […] So selfish I was to think it was about me…It took me years to process why he did it and understand the pain he was silently suffering” he recalled.

“Meeting my wife was the major turning point for me” Topher added. He said that “she pushed [him] to figure it out and [he] started at a community college”. From there things went uphill and Bradshaw was able to find his path. This man’s story shows that there is still light at the end of the darkest night as he finds love, purpose and recovery. Scroll down below to read his account and tell us what you think.

More info: aleveamentalhealth.com | Facebook

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    Topher Bradshaw recently shared a story about loss and mental illness and how he overcame the obstacles

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    “Dealing with the loss of my brother was the most pain I have been through” he told Bored Panda

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    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

    Read less »
    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Author, Community member

    As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

    What do you think ?
    We'llSee
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had a crappy few days here lately, feeling like the whole worlds falling in on me, I read your story and once again realize how blessed I am. It's true often times when we suffer bad things, things no words will ever explain, when we choose to give back and help someone else, we also help ourselves..You are an amazing man Bless you.

    Night Owl
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're so strong. Keep going. I hope healing others who are sick helps you to heal too. P.S. I'm sorry but I can't stop wondering where were social services or any other authority (besides 911 and hospitals) during all of this.

    Alexis C
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm guessing at 16,17 they aged out or were so close to it that they fell between the cracks like so many poor kids do.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Rebekah
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know if you'll ever see this, but... You're a hero. And I'm proud of you and insanely happy for your accomplishments.

    Karasi Mills
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that giving back and saving other victims from the same pain that you've experienced, that you are able to heal more and more. Bless you for looking out for the vulnerable in our society. you rock.

    Rosemary Schmitt
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, talk about overcoming life’s obstacles!!!! I am so sorry for what happened to you before meeting your wife, but believe she was heaven sent to you as you are to your many patients and their families. Your brother and Mom must be sooooo very proud of you. You are awesome!!!! The best always. ❤️😊👍🙏

    Tyler Eike
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was with Tim the night he left. We talked about him playing bass in a band. He gave me a giant hug before he walked home that night. It was the last time I would ever see him. I miss that guy and his loss has made a huge impact on my life. Tim was in pain and no one that knew him would say otherwise. Proud that you've made a good life for yourself and others. Pretty amazing Toph! My best, Tyler

    Pam Falcioni
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. Success stories like yours are an affirmation that it is possible to rise above. I hope you have many years as a counselor, although the daily grind of working with mental illness can be debilitating, you're doing it for all the right reasons and will definitely help many others find ways to make their lives meaningful and happy.

    Shannon Andreas
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have grew up in Mesa, AZ along with you, I also had a drug addicted mother, I am a RN now and may get my NP, I enjoy psych as well, for me I think it’s because of my experiences, good for you, you are the best to be doing what you do. You are amazing!

    Leopoldo Pisanello
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, what a story! I had tears in my eyes on one or two places... Ok, maybe more than two. :) This would make a really good movie, showing the people how much inner strength a person can have.

    Rebecca Owens
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, it's amazing to see someone who knows how to stand back up after losing someone. Some people would just forget it and move on. It's a miracle people like this exist.

    Load More Comments
    We'llSee
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had a crappy few days here lately, feeling like the whole worlds falling in on me, I read your story and once again realize how blessed I am. It's true often times when we suffer bad things, things no words will ever explain, when we choose to give back and help someone else, we also help ourselves..You are an amazing man Bless you.

    Night Owl
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're so strong. Keep going. I hope healing others who are sick helps you to heal too. P.S. I'm sorry but I can't stop wondering where were social services or any other authority (besides 911 and hospitals) during all of this.

    Alexis C
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm guessing at 16,17 they aged out or were so close to it that they fell between the cracks like so many poor kids do.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Rebekah
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know if you'll ever see this, but... You're a hero. And I'm proud of you and insanely happy for your accomplishments.

    Karasi Mills
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that giving back and saving other victims from the same pain that you've experienced, that you are able to heal more and more. Bless you for looking out for the vulnerable in our society. you rock.

    Rosemary Schmitt
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, talk about overcoming life’s obstacles!!!! I am so sorry for what happened to you before meeting your wife, but believe she was heaven sent to you as you are to your many patients and their families. Your brother and Mom must be sooooo very proud of you. You are awesome!!!! The best always. ❤️😊👍🙏

    Tyler Eike
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was with Tim the night he left. We talked about him playing bass in a band. He gave me a giant hug before he walked home that night. It was the last time I would ever see him. I miss that guy and his loss has made a huge impact on my life. Tim was in pain and no one that knew him would say otherwise. Proud that you've made a good life for yourself and others. Pretty amazing Toph! My best, Tyler

    Pam Falcioni
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. Success stories like yours are an affirmation that it is possible to rise above. I hope you have many years as a counselor, although the daily grind of working with mental illness can be debilitating, you're doing it for all the right reasons and will definitely help many others find ways to make their lives meaningful and happy.

    Shannon Andreas
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have grew up in Mesa, AZ along with you, I also had a drug addicted mother, I am a RN now and may get my NP, I enjoy psych as well, for me I think it’s because of my experiences, good for you, you are the best to be doing what you do. You are amazing!

    Leopoldo Pisanello
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, what a story! I had tears in my eyes on one or two places... Ok, maybe more than two. :) This would make a really good movie, showing the people how much inner strength a person can have.

    Rebecca Owens
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, it's amazing to see someone who knows how to stand back up after losing someone. Some people would just forget it and move on. It's a miracle people like this exist.

    Load More Comments
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