Politics
Arlana Miller’s heartbreaking Instagram post to late grandpa before Southern University cheerleader, 19, died by suicide
A SOUTHERN University cheerleader shared her grief over the loss of her “pawpa” in a heartbreaking post shared on her Instagram page.
Arlana Miller, a freshman on the cheerleading team, posted another farewell note to the same account before she was found dead of a reported suicide this month.
Arlana Miller shared a heartbreaking tribute to her “pawpa” in 2020 before she was found dead this monthInstagram/lanaawanaa
InstagramShe was a freshman in college and was on the cheerleading squad[/caption]
InstagramArlana posted a “farewell note” on her Instagram before her body was found[/caption]
In June of 2020, Arlana’s grandfather, who she described on Instagram as being her “dad, mom, and everything,” passed away.
“Not one of the million times I’ve sat and watched you fight for your life, did I imagine a life without you,” Arlana wrote on her Instagram.
“A life where i will never get to speak to you again, hug you again.. that all I’ll have left is memories, I’m not ready to let you go pawpa … please tell me that i’m dreaming and that this is just all a bad nightmare.”
“I’m sorry that you had to leave this world alone in a hospital bed.. I’m so sorry that i couldn’t take it all away!!!!” she continued.
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She went on to say that she would never forget lessons he taught her, and the advice he gave.
“The countless amounts of times you’ve sacrificed for me. You were such a strong, wise, and headstrong figure,” Arlana said.
Before her death, Arlana revealed in a May 4 Instagram post that she struggled from Covid, feeling isolated, tearing her ACL, and failing several classes.
She said she had been struggling with suicidal thoughts for a long time.
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“I have fought this urge since my early teenage years…I gave this life all the fight I had,” she wrote.
Shavonne B re-shared the Instagram post on Twitter, writing that she lost her best friend from suicide, and reminding everyone to check on their friends.
“This post broke my heart. Praying for Arlana Miller’s family and Southern University at this time,” she wrote.
Arlana’s Instagram post has since been removed, but it received 3,000 comments with messages of concern.
In the post she added, “to everyone I love, just remember that this is not your fault.”
Arlana also wrote: “I know I’m about to let a lot of people down by what I’m about to do. But…truth is I’ve already let down so many people throughout my life and it just feels unbearable.”
To her mother, she said not to blame herself, adding: “I’m at rest now…I’m happy in the water where everything is still.”
Arlana was later found dead in the Mississippi River, after her family became concerned about her whereabouts, according to a report from Yahoo, which indicated her death was an apparent suicide.
Southern University & A&M College, a historically black college, posted a message about Arlana’s death on Twitter.
“We mourn the loss of Arlana Miller, a Freshman Southern University Cheerleader,” it said.
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“We ask for your prayers, love, and support. Our deepest sympathy to The Miller family, SU Cheer, & friends. We love you Arlana.”
A message on hbugameday.com read in part, “May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience.“
InstagramArlana’s Instagram post with her “farewell note” has been removed after hundreds of concerned comments[/caption]
Instagram/lanaawanaaIn the post, she expressed feeling stressed and being isolated[/caption]
Instagram/lanaawanaaArlana’s friends shared their grief over her death on Twitter[/caption]
You’re not alone
SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.
There were “more than two and half times as many suicides” in the US than there were homicides, according to the report.
For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the “second leading cause of death” and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.
Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.
This is why The-Sun.com launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 1-800-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line, www.crisistextline.org, Text HOME to 741741
Veterans Crisis Hotline, www.veteranscrisisline.net, 1-800-273-8255
Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488-7386
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