I learned of the death of college student Carly Henley two days after her passing, on October 6, 2010. In the days soon to follow it became clear that scores and scores of people were wounded to the core by the loss. Wonderful evidence around the internet serves to almost suspend Carly Henley's personable allure, her impressive musical talent, and a short life the likes of which most anybody could envy.

Various reports tell of her short term struggle with depression of perhaps three months in duration. Significant in that was the introduction of anti-depressant drug Zoloft via prescription some two weeks before Carly took her own life.

Not lost on me now, finally, is the wording in the "Black Box Warning" with Zoloft, which states that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in persons younger than 25. Risk is especially heightened during the first two months of taking anti-depressants.

The labels on anti-depressant drugs in the U.S. were altered to reference young adults aged 18 to 24 just three years earlier - in 2007.

It is my belief, now, that Carly just happened to land among the small percentage of anti-depressant users who are susceptible to being so affected by a powerful drug such as Zoloft.

One need not ever have known such a remarkable woman to feel the pain all around at the loss of Carly Henley.


So many life lessons are so well represented by Carly Henley's compelling spirit. Let me see if I can help some to gain fuller appreciation for a woman who continues to inspire everyone who ever knew of her.



Carly Henley in pictures?

When mourning the loss of Carly Henley it is so easy to notice and consider that most suicide victims who have never harmed others deserved just as much care and concern during their lives as Carly deserved and had.  Yet it is difficult to step around considerations of just how much attention we send her way because she was so exceptionally attractive.  From what you'll find around the internet it seems clear that Carly's physical beauty was complemented splendidly by her obvious musical talent and a disposition which made her seem approachable and well grounded.

Some of the struggle for so many about her passing results from there having been so little on the surface of Carly's life which would seem to warrant such a choice.  Magnify that by the effects of her appearance, enviable to just about everyone, and it is no wonder that people like me, who never even knew her, take interest in her story.

There are truly so many pictures of Carly Henley on the internet that I couldn't even begin to cover them all but her Facebook photo album is a suitable place to start.  The "wall" at Carly's Facebook page is still host to steady expressions by well-wishers and mourners from all over the world  (somebody had posted there just 6 minutes prior to my turning up to get the proper link address).  The collection of links in the "info" section of Carly's Facebook page offer more about her world during the past three years of her life.

Here's a picture of Carly with many of her sorority sisters.  She's in the center and toward the back while clearly in an environment which assures she knew a thriving school and social life.

At Carly Henley's Myspace page you can listen to the four songs on her initial CD and marvel as I do at some of the lyrics.  You'll be left wondering how it was that somebody blessed with her beauty might seem just like you and I where it concerns insecurity.  Some of the other lyrics imply a simple girl who aspired to the most wonderful feelings:

"... My day was great when I talked to you
I hoped that maybe dreams come true
I wanted us to happen bad
You made me smile more than I ever had..."

A group endeavor undertaken by her family since Carly's death is The Carly Henley Project and it is a collaboration to create a CD of as much of Carly's music as they can find which will be enhanced by other, very capable family members.  The project met its public funding goal within a day or two of first being advertised online but the video at that website is a poignant bit of expression by members of Carly's family.

The family and close friends of miss Henley are fortunate at least in the way that the evidence is clear and everywhere online that Carly got to thrive a great deal during her short time on our earth.  Hopefully she got to feel as invigorated on the inside as she tended to seem on the outside, whether playing her music or enjoying the company of friends and family.  At the very least it is obvious that she warmed the souls of others at every crossroads:








Posted by

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)