depressing news...

OP · 03-10-2008, 10:32 AM

I'm not sure how to even start this or why I am even typing it here.

I guess it is self-therapy for some tragic news I just received concerning one of our employees.

We are in Dallas yesterday (4 hours away) and leaving our business in the capable hands of our Hospital Manager when she calls to say one of our employees did not show for her shift and cannot be reached.

The manager asked that if I didn't hear from her by today, would I please drive over to the employee's house and check on her. It is so unlike this employee to miss work, much less, not call to notify us to her absence.

Well, the police beat me to it and just called to notify me that our employee ( a young girl in her twenties) is deceased apparently taking her own life after a long battle with depression.

I hope to speak with her family soon to express our condolences.

Such a loss and so many questions as to why or how one can get that depressed and not feel there is support nearby to help all they can.

Our hearts really go out to the family.

Contact your loved-ones soon to let them know how much you care.

Maui Mike · 03-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Doug Allen · 03-10-2008, 10:47 AM

Sorry to hear that.

Tom Savini · 03-10-2008, 10:53 AM

OP I know the kind of person you are and feel your hurt. No one needs to go thru this and I can't imagine how bad they feel. All we can do as a fine family this group is send a lot of prayers to you and this family. I don't know how to put into words how this makes me feel other than broken hearted.
Hang in there and give a

from all of us.
Tom & Cindy

RUN ROD RUN · 03-10-2008, 11:18 AM

Opey, Sorry to hear this kind of news.

vettegirl · 03-10-2008, 11:25 AM

That's so tragic - my heart goes out to you. All good thoughts headed your way.

houtex · 03-10-2008, 11:45 AM

Sorry to hear it - I've known way too many people in my lifetime that have taken that way out.

HotRodGirl · 03-10-2008, 11:46 AM

I can relate as my daughter suffers from depression

I am so sorry!!!!

With a lot of care, love and support we can only hope that she can overcome it

When you know someone that does suffer from it your heart aches as you wish they could only see the things you do in them!!!!

God Bless the family.....a life lost at such a young age is so sad

Focks · 03-10-2008, 11:53 AM

Isn't always shocking to hear that someone you know has taken that way out of life. And yes, it does make you wonder what you could have done differently, or if you could have helped. You have to tell yourself, that what ever happened is not your fault.

I think most of us know you and Leanne enough to know that you probally treated her with fairness and respect, and what ever was bothering her came from something that may have happened to her long ago.

The best thing you all can do is to express sorrow for her passing. Perhaps even telling her family how important she had become to you and the rest of the employee's in your business. I think the idea is to celebrate ones life, and honor the time shared with that person.

MIKESMITHMNSTRY · 03-10-2008, 12:02 PM

We Pray God's Grace for you, your crew & her family.

GOD BLESS THE USA

Nancy24 · 03-10-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focks

Isn't always shocking to hear that swomeone you know has taken that way out of life. And yes, it does make you wonder what you could have done differently, or if you could have helped. You have to tell yourself, that what ever happened is not your fault.

I think most of us know you and Leanne enough to know that you probally treated her with fairness and respect, and what ever was bothering her came from something that may have happened to her long ago.

The best thing you all can do is to express sorrow for her passing. Perhaps even telling her family how important she had become to you and the rest of the employee's in your business. I think the idea is to celebrate ones life, and honor the time shared with that person.

OP, I can't imagine you and Leanne treating her with anything but the utmost respect. We never quite know what's going on in someone elses' personal life. My heartfelt condolences go out to you, Leanne and her family. Such a tragic loss for her parents.

woohoo · 03-10-2008, 12:40 PM

So sorry for all her friends and family. Something like this has such an impact on so many people. It's just so sad.

Greg Ducato · 03-10-2008, 12:44 PM

That is sad news, I pray for her family and friends as they try and cope with such a tragic loss.

Pewter Bear · 03-10-2008, 12:59 PM

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and her family.

Sidekick · 03-10-2008, 01:02 PM

OP and DR. MRS. OP,
When things slow down a bit and you have a minute, please reread the first half of your post to us. Your Hospital manager called you two to let you know that one of your employees/family members was absent and was very concerned. You all agreed that if you did not hear from her within the next 24 hours that you would go check on her.
That speaks volumes about you and the boss and the way you relate to the folks who help make your business run. You are lucky to have them, and they are lucky to have the OP family as well. Yes, it is a terrible tragedy, but you know that. In the days ahead I know you will step back in and embrace your Hospital family even more. I wish you peace.

artsmart · 03-10-2008, 01:06 PM

OP, this is so sad to hear and I know how devastated you must feel thinking you might have made a difference. I went through this many years ago as several of my close friends (including my son's babysitter) took their lives in the span of one year. Just know that there wasn't anything you could have done as those who are intent on taking their own lives rarely let their plans be known. Our hearts go out to her family and your's.

Thumper · 03-10-2008, 01:31 PM

OP and Leanne, so sorry to hear of your employee. Sometimes as employers we tend to get involved with our employees lives and they become our second family. My condolences to both of you.

Furykay · 03-10-2008, 01:45 PM

Tressa And I Send Our Heart Felt Sympahty.

blueroadster06 · 03-10-2008, 01:54 PM

OP...I know first hand how much of a caring person you are.....My prayers go out to the family and you.......blue

wildcat66 · 03-10-2008, 02:31 PM

My prayers are sent to the family to help ease the pain of this loss, I can feel your pain and I know Leanne must be in shock. Just remember you made a huge difference in this persons life.

to you both.

XSELER8 · 03-10-2008, 03:46 PM

Sorry to hear this.

grimmye · 03-10-2008, 04:03 PM

Payers from grimmye for all affected. God Bless

OP · 03-10-2008, 04:06 PM

Thank you to everyone. Mrs. OP and I realize even more how much this SSR family means to us.

and you are right.

We feel everyone that works with us is family 'cause that is how we treat each other.

When you spend as much time as we do around one another and witness each others' emotions in dealing with the joys and sadness that comes along in veterinary medicine, it is hard not to get close.

We really appreciate everyones' condolences as I am sure the family does as well.

ssrgarage · 03-10-2008, 04:09 PM

Tim

Jgrden · 03-10-2008, 06:26 PM

It is nice to know that there is an employer who has that kind of concern over an employee. You are one fine gentleman. I am sorry for your loss and wish that God's peaceful loving hand be felt on the shoulders of the parents.

AynRand · 03-10-2008, 07:46 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss. How very tragic.

downshifter · 03-10-2008, 08:13 PM

it is very hard to know what to say to the family at times like this, but all they really want to know is that you care about them. Please let them know that all of us feel for them and we are praying for their peace at this time.
Our prayers are for you too and your office family.

WearyEagle · 03-10-2008, 09:57 PM

Its hard to explain suicide. I've attempted it several times when I was much younger. Sometimes the desire to "just give up" is overwhelming("he doesn't sleep, he isn't dead . . . he's just escaped the dark dungeon of life"). Thank goodness for modern medicine's incredible psychological drugs. My cousin from a small Iowa town, childhood friend for years, did just that, killed himself. Facing certain prison time for his 11th DUI a year ago, poor guy, he just didn't want to continue. Sometimes its very hard for us "survivors" to see this coming. We frequently are just not aware of the private hell those around us are going through. Always reminds me of a poem by Edwin Robinson which says its so succinctly:

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich - yes, richer than a king -
And admirably schooled in every grace;
In fine we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

To the troubled, weary mind it isn't tragic . . . its an escape.

SSRHEARTBEAT · 03-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Our Prayers are with her family and you too as her caring friends.

Years ago this was rare, but now days, it happens much more often.

I have worked a few of these cases. It's so sad but Teenagers and Young Adults now are at the top of that list.

vettegirl · 03-11-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WearyEagle

To the troubled, weary mind it isn't tragic . . . its an escape.

That explains a lot, and maybe makes it easier to understand for those left behind wondering what they could have done differently.