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.



Seven years went under the bridge...


Anybody wishing to scrutinize Carly Henley's environment during her time on this earth in search of reasons... or indications... or understandings  about why she took her own life seven years ago, has had plenty of time to come up with (and share) any plausible findings.

The nearest likely facts remain that most anybody who ever reads about Carly's life on this planet reaches a point of considerable envy even though they know the ending, before indulging in the story.

 Yes, if you want to find a flaw, Carly was a child of divorce, but that commonality is generally woven into our everyday society so much that perhaps few would even pause there to seek understanding.

Carly's surrounding family gave her about as much as anybody could hope to have, and anything she lacked in material possessions was more than made up for by raw genetics.  Imagine getting to present that face to the world so much so that it became your norm that your own glowing reflection appeared in the eyes of nearly everyone you ever saw.

The immeasurable warmth in that aspect of human interaction is something which the vast majority of us cannot fathom.  To augment what she already had, with her authentic musical talent was Carly Henley's crowning touch, and it effected the awesome reality that Carly's positive vibes remain here with her people even though she left so early.

It remains statistically accurate that a small-but-real percentage of those who take Zoloft or similar powerful medications are caused to have suicidal thoughts, and that some significant percentage of the aforementioned take action on those thoughts.

And yes, I know the tendency to think:   "... but why her?  why (a dreamy girl like) Carly Henley?..."


I don't even know if we as a collective society even care enough (about the problem) as it is.  I do sense that lots of us would truly notice the problem even less, had we not on occasion witnessed a Carly Henley caught up in the tangle of emotional causes and effects which medical professionals have not fully figured-out.

Hopefully still... every month that passes brings another YouTube browser into contact with Carly Henley's music, who is inspired to find out about this girl, only to learn, sadly, that she evolved to take her own life soon after first taking Zoloft.  Maybe that grim reality resonates with most new viewers, and each now more firmly possesses some instincts about speaking up, about noticing the actions of others (even in our keep-to-yourself world)... and perhaps someone somewhere will be helped... perhaps saved,  largely because Carly Henley's story is still here on the internet seven years after her passing.

It's so cool... when you put Carly's CD in the car stereo, and you see her name there on the display, just as you do with famous song artists on various stations on the radio.

More people should go and buy Carly's CD  "Love the Skin You're In"...

But don't do so for Carly...  do it for yourself,  and for those long drives...
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