Don't be afraid to talk about mental illness

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Hakeem Howard, a senior at Quince Orchard High School in suburban Maryland, was in his first-period class one morning listening to announcements when he heard that the school was looking for graduation speakers and valedictorians.

Grade-wise, he told me, he definitely wasn't a valedictorian. But, he said: "I knew I had something great to talk about. I felt like I could take something that happened to me and talk about it in a way that would touch others."

Administrators agreed, and on graduation day, Hakeem took a seat onstage with school officials, valedictorians and other notables.

The ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, a magnificent venue that was big enough to accommodate 450 graduating seniors and nearly 2,500 of their loved ones.

As is the tradition at these things, the school orchestra played beautifully, the choir hit all its notes, and the speeches were suitably upbeat and wry.

I was there to cheer on my granddaughter, Kenna Cramer, who is related to me in the roundabout manner of so many modern American families; she is the daughter of my step-daughter, whose father is my ex-husband. Kenna told me later she expected Hakeem to deliver a lighthearted, funny speech.

But as he walked up to the dais, it was obvious he was collecting himself emotionally.

"Exactly one year ago today," Hakeem said, "I was admitted to a mental health facility, broken and lost. The drive I had inside was gone. I really should have talked to someone, asked for help. However, I didn't, and I crumbled tremendously."

During his hospital stay, he said, he had a memorable visit from the father of one of his best friends. His friend's dad told him that climbing Mt. Everest is often used as a metaphor for success. "Climb to the top of the mountain and you've reached your goal!" he told Hakeem.

But no one, the friend's dad added, ever climbs Everest alone. There is always a support team. That was the metaphor Hakeem found more relevant. That was the lesson that Hakeem wanted to impart to his friends: In times of trouble, don't go it alone.

Tears spilled down Hakeem's cheeks and his voice broke as he spoke of the dark episode during his junior year that led to a stay in a psychiatric unit. He had trouble talking, but as Hakeem faltered, the audience stepped up, applauding him to signal their support.

"High school is more than a place where you sit down and learn from the books," Hakeem said. "Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States among young adults and teens."

Wow, I thought. Who talks at their high school graduation about feeling suicidal and the importance of seeking help? Most high school graduation speeches are full of platitudes that are long forgotten by the time you sit down to the celebratory meal.

After Hakeem got out of the hospital, he told me, he and his mom made a pact: "When I am upset, I try to gather myself and my words, and we sit down and we talk. I try to let out what I am feeling. She just listens. It's the best thing she could do."

Just listen? Not a bad idea.

Three quarters of the way through his speech, Hakeem turned the page in his binder on the dais and discovered the second page was missing. Because he had not memorized his words, he paused, said, "That's all I got," and sat down.

The audience erupted in cheers for him. It didn't really matter that his speech had ended abruptly. He had already made his point about seeking help, had already demonstrated an uncommon courage as he revealed his most personal struggle.

The next day, though, Hakeem donned his cap and gown and went back to school in Gaithersburg to deliver his entire speech in a studio on campus. The video was posted on the school's website. It was a nice gesture by school administrators, who felt bad about the snafu, which was theirs.

I watched it online, and it didn't hit me with the same force. Hakeem was calm and collected, and his speech was fine.

But nothing will ever compare to the raw emotion, brutal honesty and grace he displayed in those moments onstage.

That was a speech, I guarantee you, that none of his classmates will ever forget.

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