Michael Hudson was a 19-year-old 6?7?? handsome man. He had just graduated from Lake Orion High School with honors, was popular and was embarking on becoming a model and an actor.
But, despite all Michael had going for him, in April of this year, he took his life.
‘When we came to Michael’s funeral, there were hundreds of kids there, and they were shocked. And they didn’t understand why and how this could have happened to him,? Michael’s aunt, Sharon Carlile, said. ‘Depression can happen to anyone.?
Carlile said Michael was a happy kid, but, in the beginning of his senior year at LOHS, he became very critical of himself and developed depression. Michael gave away so much of his love to others, and his family wishes he could have saved some of this love for himself.
‘That’s what we want people to remember about Michael, that it’s not a sad story. It’s a great story; it’s a kid who gave back so much to others and who just needed to keep some of it to himself. And it’s sad that people didn’t know that he was suffering from it as much as he was. And he did talk about it. But, that’s our whole goal ? to get people to talk about it more,? Carlile said.
Carlile said many people hold a stigma against depression and she wishes this would change. This is why Michael’s family created the organization Team Earl.
‘Earl? was Michael’s bowling alias. And his bowling team, made up of his Aunt and Uncle Carlile, his brother Ryan and his friend Eric Schoenbaechler, would call themselves ‘Team Earl.? Now, ‘Team Earl? has a completely different mission. Their mission is to increase awareness of mental illnesses, specifically depression awareness and suicide prevention.
‘They have all these horrible street names [for depression]. And depression, it’s an illness; it’s the same thing as if you have cancer or if you have a broken bone. It’s just that, walking down the street, you can’t tell when someone has depression. And that’s what we want to do ? erase that stigma. You still have an issue, and there’s still help. So you need to talk about it; you can’t feel alone,? Carlile said.
On Saturday August 1, Team Earl held a bowling fundraiser in memory of Michael. Hundreds of people took part in this fundraiser. Michael’s brother Ryan, who is in the Marines, was sent home for two days just to attend the event.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised at the bowling event were donated to Mental Illness Needs Discussion Sessions (MINDS) organization and the University of Michigan Depression Center. Every dollar Team Earl earns through their donations goes to these two organizations.
MINDS? goal is to educate young people about mental illness. They conduct seminars in about 600 different high schools throughout Michigan. Carlile said the Lake Orion school district is planning to have MINDS speak at LOHS in the near future.
‘I know it sounds sad, but there’s no reason to think this can’t happen in your own family. And that’s what my sister and her husband say. Don’t think this can’t happen to your family, because it can. And if we help raise awareness, and give you the signs, and know all these different ways for help, whether it’s religion, whether it’s a doctor, whether it’s drugs. There are so many ways for help, and you’re not alone,? Carlile said.
According to MINDS, one in five Americans will suffer from some sort of mental illness in their lifetime. Many people don’t realize how common depression really is. Carlile said many kids don’t talk about their depression because they are afraid of being judged by others, and this is why so many people are blind to the severity of it. It shouldn’t be like this. Team Earl wants to show people that depression is not rare, that there are many people who are going through the same thing, and that they shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it.
Carlile said there was a marathon last year on Belle Isle to support suicide prevention. One thousand people showed up. One the same day, Humane Society held a walk in Detroit. There were ten times as many people who participated in the Humane Society’s walk than the walk for suicide prevention.
‘I love animals, but there are people walking for dogs and cats and animals, but what about human beings with a mental illness. It may not be a pretty subject, not as cute as an animal, but it needs help. It needs attention,? Carlile said.
This year, Team Earl is participating in the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk in Ann Arbor on September 20. The walk is from 12 ? 2pm. Team Earl hopes that thousands of people take part in the prevention walk this year, walking for a disease that has taken the lives of so many. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, over 33,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year. ‘Everybody has been affected,? Carlile said.
‘Talk to your friends, talk to your parents, talk to your priest, talk to your doctor, but when you start talking about it, you realize you’re not alone,? Carlile said.
To learn more information about Michael Hudson and the organization of Team Earl, visit teamearl.org.