Sterling Baumgardner
Sterling Baumgardner is a sophomore pursuing a dual major in public health and nursing, who grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. He works part-time as a patient care assistant on the adolescent unit at Akron Childrens Hospital, and he often helps treat kids struggling with mental health issues. Baumgardner understands; hes been treated at Akron Childrens Hospital, too. He joined the campaign, in part, to make sure others take suicide prevention seriously.
I think my worst mental health was when I was in my early teenage years. My parents divorced when I was seven, and I experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse. I had severe depression and multiple suicide attempts. I couldnt plan my life more than a month ahead. I couldnt see myself living past that.
I am definitely a lot further than that now. But its been a long journey. I was actually hospitalized multiple times at Akron Childrens Hospital. The last time I was there, I realized that this is unacceptable. I need to stay alive. I cant keep doing this. Even though I was still very, very depressed, and at times suicidal, I told myself that I had to be here, and that my voice and my thoughts and my experiences matter.
Now, Im working on some of the units that Id been admitted to and working with some of the nurses who took care of me during that time. Its really humbling to have made it far enough in my own journey that I can say Im healthy within my own mental space.
Some people when theyre having a really bad day, they say, I wish I didnt exist. They dont realize that is a form of suicidal thoughts. Its been normalized.
I think its 100% important to be honest with yourself. If youre in a dangerous headspace, being honest with yourself may be the only way that you are going to maintain safety at that point.
Some of the things I see at work are really heartbreaking, but I try not to take my work home, which is hard. I think thats something all mental health professionals have to do. Personally, as soon as I get in the car, I listen to music and try to sing along. And when I get home, I just go to sleep, because the more youre awake, thats more time to dwell on the events of the shift. Once I wake up, theyre no longer at the forefront of my mind.
Theres such a stigmafor science majors in particularthat you dont have time for mental illness. I think that its a horrible stigma. Theres no such thing as no time for mental illness, because it isnt a choice. I want people to see that I am a science major and I have pretty serious diagnoses for mental health conditions, and I still manage to be successful in college.
Im happy that the university is placing such a big emphasis publicly on prioritizing students mental health. That is something I really love about 51勛圖厙.