Health & Wellness
Lee Thompson Young’s Mother Starts Foundation To Raise Awareness On Mental Health
Lee Thompson Young was an accomplished actor and rising star but was struggling internally with an invisible illness.
Lee Thompson Young’s mother has started a foundation in honor of her son.
Lee Thompson Young was an accomplished actor and rising star.
I was introduced to Young when he played “Jett” on the Disney Channel show “The Famous Jett Jackson” and instantly fell in love with his chestnut eyes and impeccable acting skills.
Young’s career took off. He would go on to star in a McDonald’s commercial with Michael Jordan.
From there, he landed roles in various prime-time television shows, such as “Friday Night Lights,” “Smallville,” and “Scrubs,” as well as films, including “The Hills Have Eyes 2.”
As his career blossomed, little did I know, the handsome young actor I grew to love was battling a mental illness.
In his late teens, Lee was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that is associated with episodes of mood changes ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
He managed his illness with medication and therapy for several years, all while continuing to build a successful acting career.
Unfortunately, in 2013, Young died by suicide at 29 years old.
“At the time, I didn’t live near Lee. I lived across the country. When I’d talk to him on the phone, I couldn’t tell he was in crisis. He was a very good actor,” his mother, Velma Love, told Healthline.
Lee Thompson Young Foundation
Love remembers her son as a caring, kind person who was deeply aware of social issues and sought out creative ways to impact society. To honor his life, Love and her daughter, Tamu Lewis, established the Lee Thompson Young Foundation in 2014.
“Losing Lee was a tremendous shock, and immediately it brought to my mind the need for more education about mental illness, especially the stigma associated with it. We [wanted] to do something to help other people and prevent other families from losing someone by suicide,” said Love to Heathline.
The Lee Thompson Young Foundation focuses on erasing the stigma associated with mental illness through various awareness efforts, including its MIND program.
“The MIND program is for administrators and school personnel working with children K-12 so they can learn the broad spectrum of mental health — trends, what to look for in children, when to recognize help is needed, and how to create bridges to resources in their communities,” Stephanie E. Johnson, owner of NaviPsych and executive director of the Lee Thompson Young Foundation, told Healthline.
In addition, the foundation has developed a 5-week Emotional & Resilience Training Program based on Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques.
Youth are taught how to recognize the convergence between meeting their basic human needs, learning self awareness, awareness of others and their environment, and recognizing how to change patterns of thoughts and behaviors to increase resilience and self advocacy.
What a great way to break down the negative stereotypes about mental illness. Attacking the stigma lets others know in the fight, it is okay to seek help and you are not alone.
Learn more about the foundation
To learn more about Lee Thompson Young Foundation, visit them on Facebook.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
Health & Wellness
Hydeia Broadbent’s father launches GoFundMe following the activist’s death
Hydeia Broadbent passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, February 20th.
HIV/AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent’s father has launched a GoFundMe following her death.
Hydeia passed away Tuesday, February 20th, at 39 years old.
She passed away peacefully
Her father, Loren Broadbent, shared the news Wednesday on Facebook that she died peacefully from natural causes.
Hydeia was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.
At three years old, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS.
Several years later after her diagnosis at age 6, Hydeia became a steadfast HIV/AIDS activist, committed to spreading awareness about the disease.
She appeared on various national television programs, including “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” “20/20,” and “Good Morning America.” She also appeared in New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister Magazine.
In 2014, Hydeia became a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Hydeia Broadbent GoFundMe
In light of Hydeia’s untimely passing, her father has set up a GoFundMe.
“Hi, I am Loren Broadbent, the father of Hydeia Broadbent. Yesterday afternoon Hydeia unexpectedly passed away. Our hearts are broken. Hydeia spent her whole life since the age of five showing us all how to love, fight, and speak up for those affected with HIV and AIDS. And as much as I wish she was still here fighting the great fight, God called her home. Letting us all know. Job well done”, the GoFundMe reads.
“In honor of her memory the family would like to lay her to rest. So at this time we are asking for donations. Along with well wishes and prayers. We would like to thank you in advance. Thank you, and let’s all keep her memory alive and continue the fight where she left off.”
The family is seeking to raise $20,000. At the time of this posting, they have raised approximately $14,000.
If you are interested in donating to Hydeia’s celebration of life and supporting the family, please visit the GoFundMe for more information.
Health & Wellness
Hydeia Broadbent, AIDS activist and motivational speaker, dies at 39
Hydeia Broadbent passed away at 39 from natural causes.
Hydeia Broadbent, a prominent AIDS activist and motivational speaker, has passed away at age 39.
Confirmation of Hydeia Broadbent’s passing
Her passing was confirmed by her father Loren Broadbent, in a post on Facebook, sharing Hydeia died from natural causes.
“With great sadness, I must inform you all that our beloved friend, mentor, and daughter Hydeia, passed away today after living with AIDS since birth,” his post read.
“Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around Hiv/AIDS.”
Her incredible story
According to her website, Broadbent was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and, as an infant, was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.
At three years old, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS.
Hydeia Broadbent and her activism
Hydeia became an activist at age 6, telling her story to the masses on various national television programs, including “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” “20/20,” and “Good Morning America.” She also appeared in New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister Magazine.
Motivational speaker
In 1996, she was a speaker at the Republican National Convention, she stated “I am the future, and I have AIDS.”
In 2002, her family published a book entitled “You Get Past The Tears,” she appeared with her family on “Extreme Home Makeover” in 2004.
Until her passing, she was an international motivational speaker and AIDS activist.
In 2014, she became a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation, as well as other AIDS activist organizations, in order “to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.”
“People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them. Well, this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you are aware and informed,” Broadbent said.
“I use my testimony as a warning of what you don’t want to go through.”
Most of us watched Hydeia and her bravery as she shared her story on this autoimmune disease. Her courage was something to be admired.
Unheard Voices sends its heartfelt condolences to Hydeia’s family and loved ones.
Health & Wellness
Snoop Dogg’s daughter suffers “severe” stroke
Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus revealed in an instagram post she suffered a “severe” stroke.
Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus revealed she suffered a stroke.
Cori Broadus suffers stroke
On Thursday, the 24-year-old posted a photo on her Instagram Story from the hospital following the health scare.
“I had a severe stroke this a.m. I started breaking down crying when they told me,” she wrote. “Like I’m only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this.”
Although Broadus didn’t provide any specific details on what led to her stroke or her recovery, the singer has had a difficult health journey for years after being diagnosed with lupus at age 6.
What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system damage organs and tissue throughout your body. It causes inflammation that can affect your skin, joints, blood and organs like your kidneys, lungs and heart.
Let’s keep Cori and all those battling autoimmune diseases like Lupus in our prayers. It is certainly a daily fight.
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