Last week we had a guest presenter here at Laingsburg High School to speak to our students about mental health awareness. Terry Hessbrook, assistant principal and head football coach for Ithaca High School, came to share a story about his son. Terry Hessbrook has coached football for 32 years. Football is one of the greatest memories he has with his son Brody. He lived a normal life and always had a smile on his face. Brady played football all of high school but suffered many injuries. Brady was a leader amongst his peers and even became the manager of the football team in 2011. No one knew how much Brady was suffering because he kept all the pain to himself. On January 27, 2023, Brady had taken his own life. Terry started the B4 foundation to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention through education, outreach initiatives, advocacy, and community service. If you are struggling with your mental health, you aren’t alone. Please reach out to someone because people care about you.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available to you. Call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Calling or texting this number connects you with a trained crisis counselor. To learn more about Terry Hessbrook and his son, please visit theB4Foundation.org
Head Reporters Kaleigh Rann & Rylee Martindale
Laingsburg High School