A Family’s Heartbreak: Sharing Jonah’s Story to Save Lives
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – In a courageous act of vulnerability, a local family is sharing their son’s story to prevent other parents from enduring the same unimaginable pain. Jonah Habedank,a senior at La Salle high School,died by suicide in December. His parents, Matt and Kathleen Habedank, recently posted his story on Facebook, and it has since been shared thousands of times, sparking crucial conversations about mental health.Jonah was a volleyball player, a leader on the court, and a seemingly happy teen. Yet, beneath his confident exterior, he was battling depression. This past summer, he began showing signs of struggle, but the help he needed didn’t come fast enough. “I’d say, ‘You’re loved, and you’re not what you think you are,’” Matt shared. “He just didn’t see it. He was an incredible person.”
despite his intelligence, athleticism, and kindness, Jonah’s internal turmoil was overwhelming. He confided in his family but initially resisted help. “The saturday before Halloween, he actually attempted. He took pills,” Kathleen revealed.“By the grace of God, he woke up the next day.”
Following this incident, Jonah received medication and counseling, and for a time, he seemed to regain his joy. “He seems like a new kid,” Matt said. “He’s getting his help, and he’s on medication. He just seemed much better.” Jonah spent the next month and a half bonding with his family, playing video games, and enjoying ice cream with his brother.Tragically,on December 14,Jonah died by suicide. His last journal entry read, “Tell my story,” with bullet points detailing his depression symptoms and experiences. When asked which points stood out the most, Matt said, “For me, what breaks my heart is that he said he was hopeless. That was the worst out of all the horrible things that he had to go through: not having hope.”
Jonah’s brother added, “The one that sticks out to me the most is the last part in his letter that he wrote. He said that he was a quitter, a failure, and a coward, as if he could see it through anyone else’s eyes, he would realize that was just not true.”
To honor Jonah’s final wish, his parents shared his journal entry on Facebook. The post has been shared over two thousand times,opening up vital conversations about mental health. “It’s opening up conversations to have with your son or daughter,” Kathleen said. “And really, it’s just like Jonah to be thinking of others all the way to the very end.”
Jonah’s final message was,“Stay strong and keep going.” His mother urged other parents to read Jonah’s journal with their children and have an open dialog. “A person who is suicidal does not have time to wait,” she emphasized.
The Habedank family hopes that by sharing Jonah’s story, they can help others recognize the symptoms of depression and seek help immediately.
| Key Takeaways from Jonah’s story |
|————————————–|
| Signs of Depression: Hopelessness, self-criticism, withdrawal. |
| Action Steps: Seek immediate help, encourage open conversations, monitor mental health. |
| jonah’s Message: “Stay strong and keep going.” |
Jonah’s story is a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the urgent need for compassion and action. Let his words and legacy inspire us to listen, care, and act before it’s too late.
Mental Health Awareness: A Conversation on Jonah’s Story and the Urgency of Compassion
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In a heartfelt effort to raise awareness about mental health, the Habedank family shared the story of their son, jonah, who tragically lost his life to suicide. Jonah’s story,shared through his journal entries,has sparked vital conversations about depression,self-criticism,and the importance of seeking help. To delve deeper into the lessons from Jonah’s story, we sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, a clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health, to discuss the signs of depression, the urgency of intervention, and how families can support their loved ones.
