MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and a local Memphian wants to share his story in hopes of saving someone’s life.
He has held two mental health forums on Beale Street this month, the first being held this Tuesday.
Marlon Qualls is not a mental health expert.
But he told FOX13 he knows firsthand what can cause mental illness.
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“Significant accidents make us fear arguments, relationships, broken relationships, breakups and everything else,” Qualls said.
He said many people in Memphis are experiencing the same type of broken heart syndrome he was in.
It’s a mental issue and he’s willing to tell people he battles it every day.
Qualls travels around the country spreading mental health awareness.
Mental health advocates said that as violence increases, more people are starting to fall into mental health conditions because they feel violence is the answer.
“But we need it here now more than ever. What’s happening is people killing each other and hurting innocent people,” Qualls said.
Qualls said he hopes more parents will take advantage of the two forums hosted on Beale Street.
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He said more young people are dealing with their own trauma and are looking for negative escapes.
Qualls also hopes these forums will prevent people from committing suicide.
In 2021, 1,222 people died by suicide in Tennessee, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I tell my story about what I went through,” Qualls said. A 12-minute video was playing in my house when I tried to commit suicide. ”
The forum will be held on Tuesday, May 14th at 5pm at the Wizards Museum Collection Museum & Gallery on Beale Street.
Another forum is scheduled for May 21st at the same location.
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