Nearly three years have passed since the death of Cheslie Kryst, the attorney turned Miss USA 2019, whose tragic death by suicide on January 30, 2022, shocked the world.
The Wake Forest University graduate and former beauty queen was celebrated for her accomplishments, but her passing underscored the importance of mental health.
On Sunday, her mother, April Simpkins, spoke candidly about the impact of mental illness during an event at Shaw University. Simpkins, who co-authored a book with her late daughter, “By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness,” addressed an audience on the significance of openly discussing mental health struggles.
“We don’t want to talk about it, we shy away from it,” Simpkins said, reflecting on the stigma that still surrounds mental health. “But now, with so many people talking more about their mental health, I hope it creates a comfort level where people feel okay to say, ‘I’m not okay.’”
Throughout her talk, Simpkins emphasized the importance of both addressing mental health and supporting those battling mental illness.
“We all have mental health to be concerned with,” she explained. “Making sure we keep our mental health in a good, healthy place is essential. That should be part of the conversation.”
Simpkins stressed that individuals suffering from mental illness must be recognized and supported and that a key part of this support involves connecting them with resources and showing kindness.
During the Q&A session, a question arose, How can parents support children who are struggling with mental health?
“As moms, we’re programmed to want to fix things,” Simpkins responded. “From a very young age, we teach our children, ‘If something is wrong, bring it to mommy, and mommy will fix it.’ But mental health struggles and mental illness aren’t something we can fix. That person is not broken. They’re struggling with something.”
Simpkins’ heartfelt message highlighted the ongoing need for open conversations and resources, encouraging those who are suffering to reach out for help and fostering a community where mental health is prioritized and understood.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.