Brandon Ripley was a loving, caring, and passionate young man. He was passionate about his family, his friends, and wrestling. He was a varsity wrestler during his entire high school career, and team captain for two of those years. He worked hard in the gym, getting "big like (an) ox", which led to him placing fourth in state for wrestling his senior year.
Danielle, Brandon's sister, shares that he was always a shoulder to cry on. He was friends with anyone who crossed paths with him. "He was a very emotional person and loved with all of his heart."
(Artwork painted by Caleigh Ellison. Based on a Senior Portrait of Brandon Ripley)
Brandon graduated high school in May of 2017 and passed away on June 16th. The Ripley family celebrated his 18th birthday on the day of his memorial service. Danielle described it as being "overwhelmingly filled with friends, family, teammates, and strangers." It was obvious that through the short time Brandon spent here, he made a huge impact on others. "He taught us a few things that I'm sure we'll all carry with us throughout our lives."
The Ripley's have been very open about Brandon taking his own life. Danielle says, "I believe it was the healthiest thing to do." His suicide not only killed him, but it 'killed' his family members. The family was broken and confused. His loved ones were left with a lot of unanswered questions. Despite not understanding why, the family made a move to help prevent any other family experiencing the heartache they all felt after Brandon took his own life. They decided to find a way to change the way the school system in New Mexico teaches students of mental illness. The family went to the school faculty, and there was no help granted to the grieving family. The family then came in contact with Breaking the Silence New Mexico.
Breaking the Silence New Mexico is an organization that focuses on middle schools and high schools here in the New Mexico community. They strive to educate young people on mental illness, suicide, and ending the stigma that is affiliated with these tough subjects. They strive to educate kids that are in the school system who have been ill-equipped to understand mental illness until Breaking the Silence came into play. They want to "give youth the language to engage in dialogue, and remove the shame from mental illness."
Donations have been made, in Brandon's honor, to The Society of Teen Prevention of Suicide and Breaking the Silence New Mexico. Materials and appropriate training are now being implemented in all Albuquerque Public School high schools for the education of faculty and students.
"In this horrible loss and tragedy, we have made some changes and hopefully are helping some other people along the way. Just as Brandon would have done."
Through this immense heartbreak that happened in the Ripley family's life, they are now helping local families through similar situations. They are helping Breaking the Silence New Mexico educate children in schools about mental illness. Through educating more people about mental illness and making it a normality to speak up about it, they are striving to prevent more cases of suicide. They are being a light through a dark situation they had gone through themselves.
(Artwork painted by Caleigh Ellison. Based on a Senior Portrait of Brandon Ripley)
"Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. Each year, 44,965 American's die by suicide. For every suicide 25 attempt." If you suffer from mental illness and/or suicidal thoughts, please reach out!
You are loved and have a life worth living. You have so many more sunsets to see. So many more new songs to hear and television shows to watch. You have so many more people to meet and friends to make. You have more dogs to pet. New books to read. New teas to try. New waves to watch rise on the shore. You have family and friends who love you more than you know, and they want you here with them. Reach out if you are feeling that your life isn't worth living. You still have your story to tell.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with things similar to the above, please consider using this! You are loved!
Call 1-800-SUICIDE- National Suicide Prevention Hotline
"Suicide does not end the chances of life getting worse, suicide eliminates the possibility of it ever getting better."
If you are local in the Albuquerque area, T-shirt's with Brandon's silhouette and the quote, "No More Stigma" are for sale at Border States Electric Supply at 5602 Jefferson St. for $20! (You can also message me on the Contact page if you are not local, but would still like to donate/support!) 100% of the donations go to Breaking the Silence New Mexico to help provide materials, tools, and training for middle and high school faculty and students to be educated on mental illness, suicide, and ending the stigma that comes with those subjects!
To learn more about Breaking the Silence New Mexico, go here!
https://compassionatetouchnetwork.org/Breaking_the_Silence_New_Mexico/Need_and_Support_Network/index.html
To learn more about The Society of Teen Prevention of Suicide, go here!
http://www.sptsusa.org/
Brandon Christopher Ripley
June 23 1999- June 16 2017
Brandon was such a bright light to anyone he came in contact with. Losing a loved one is so immensely difficult and hard to fathom. The Ripley's, in their grieving are being lights in situations similar to Brandon's.
Thank you Ripley family for fighting the heartache and honoring your son and brother by helping others in situations like Brandon's. You are making such an impact in the lives of many people just by sharing his story. Thank you for helping end the stigma and for speaking out.
If you want to be featured on the blog, please please please shoot me a message on the contact page! I'd love to hear from you and be able to share your story!! (It's worth hearing, I know it.)
xoxo- Caleigh