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.



Thinking of Carly Henley on the 16th anniversary of her passing

 


        It was the next day, in the local paper, where a story told of a woman's body found at a university fraternity house. The story was big news in the area for a short while, until it wasn't...


        Once it was determined that Carly Henley had taken her own life, complete with a note left for her mother, then suddenly the local media went just about cold on the subject. They not wanting to inspire any sort of copycat activity.


        That had the impact of leaving many readers and viewers in the dark about what really occurred before Carly's lifeless form was found behind a fraternity house not far from Carly's sorority house.


        It was clear in the weeks and months after that many students were torn to the core about the death of Carly Henley. Students from her high school (Highline H.S. in Burien, WA) impulsively gathered late in the evening upon learning of Carly's death, and in many cases they sang songs, some Carly's own tunes, in remembrance.


        Can't say that any significant improvement in suicide statistics has happened in the years since, only that society itself has seemed to offer far more reasons to inspire decent people in a similar direction.


        The image of Carly Henley shall be forever suspended at age 20, with many people envying all that she ever had and knew in this world. Lots of people would love to have lived the early life that Carly got to experience, but hopefully almost nobody wants the same ending.


            Thinking of Carly on 10-6-26

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