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How Real Is Depression To You?

We stress over things as minuet as concert tickets and phone bills that we totally look over things like depression and suicide.

DaRuddest Jones

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Real depression
Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji

How real is depression to you?

Like I always say… You never know a persons story until they tell you. So easily we judge people but we never know their full stories. We just take bits and pieces and create our own idea of who they are. Sadly we create these stories with out asking any questions. We create these stories with having little to no information.

We all get so caught up in the bullsh*t of our own lives. We forget that there are others going through so many things that are much deeper than what we find to be a struggle. We stress over things as minuet as concert tickets and phone bills that we totally look over things like depression and suicide. We forget that there are people who are living lives that are more than most can handle.

Depression Statistics

According to the CDC website as of March 2011; 1 in 10 American adults have reported depression. Depression is an illness that can be totally debilitating to sufferers. It can totally halt your day to day living. Leaving you merely a shell of who you typically are. Depression can make tasks such as going to work or school nearly impossible. And with so many people being sufferers how is it that it is not being addressed on a greater scale?

Depression is Real

I too am a victim of depression. At a very young age I was diagnosed. I’ve had the days where I wouldn’t get out of bed. I’ve had the days when the tears wouldn’t stop… I remember the day I tried to kill myself. I was lonely beyond words. I just felt pain and could not explain where it was coming from.

My mom took me to seek help for my psychological health but she ignored much of what the doctor had to say. Eventually my pain was more than I wanted to feel and I took about 10 Amitriptyline.

I slid into a very deep sleep and woke up almost a day later. And when I woke up I realized that God wants me to fight and so I did. From that moment I fought as much as possible with my disorder.

I have gotten my depression under control in recent years but there are some people who have a harder time than others. Like a childhood friend of mine who’s having a hard time at the moment. What I admire about her is the strength she has to speak out about it. She is using her Facebook page as a way to create awareness. I wish I had the strength to do the same when I was in turmoil. But I love that though she is having a bout with her depression, but is not letting it break her.

Sadly the black community disregards mental illness and we refuse to acknowledge it let alone seek help. Unfortunately that is a very deadly stigmatism. We have to learn that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Depression is a real disorder. We have to start acknowledging that there are so many people… Men, Women, Children and Adults, who are suffering in silence. In so many cases this silence leads to death. We have to become more aware. We have to become more educated. Depression is real. And it hurts. Take the time to listen to the silence!Barhynn Johnson

Warning Signs

Warning signs of suicide with depression include:

  • A sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
  • Always talking or thinking about death
  • Clinical depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets worst Having a “death wish,” tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving through red lights
  • Losing interest in things one used to care about
  • Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
  • Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
  • Saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out”
  • Talking about suicide (killing one’s self)
  • Visiting or calling people one cares about


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DaRuddest Jones is a spoken word artist and entrepreneur hailing from the Bronx, N.Y.

Health & Wellness

Hydeia Broadbent’s father launches GoFundMe following the activist’s death

Hydeia Broadbent passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, February 20th.

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Hydeia Broadbent father GoFundMe
Hydeia Broadbent (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

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.


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Health & Wellness

Hydeia Broadbent, AIDS activist and motivational speaker, dies at 39

Hydeia Broadbent passed away at 39 from natural causes.

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Hydeia Broadbent
Hydeia Broadbent (Facebook)

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 Broadbent on Oprah

Hydeia Broadbent on Oprah

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.


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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.

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Cori broadus suffers 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.”

Cori Broadus stroke (Photo Source: Instagram)

(Photo Source: Instagram)

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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