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 has been gone for 15 years

 

                                                    (some things are always one day off)



        It is one of those significant-seeming year totals that you all knew was on approach, and which you knew would be here in time, but October 6, 2025 marks a decade and a half since then-college student Carly Danielle Henley took her own life on the campus of the University of Washington.


        She was a lot different than most of the suicide victims you read about. Hers was a life that most would have envied. Carly was clearly surrounded by good people and good family, nearly all of whom would have jumped at the chance to support her during a down day or a down year.

        If only they could have known the opportunity to step up, or sensed the magnitude of how she must've felt during her final days and hours. It is difficult to know about Carly Henley's fate and not envision yourself having had a last-hour chance to alter her course, with words or something more, if only...

        You don't need to watch too many YouTube videos of or about her to convince yourself that almost nobody ever turned away from Carly Henley. From that maybe we can deduce that she kept her final intentions deep and out of sight from every corner of her life on earth.

        YouTube has thrived since Carly left her last videos there, and you can still find nearly all of her own videos and those made in tribute to her. Anyone just learning about her story will watch the videos and wonder as most do just how somebody so vibrant decided to take her own life.

        Among the things most commonly spoken about suicide victims is "he/she had everything going for him/her." It will be difficult to watch a significant amount of Carly's YouTube presence without concluding that Carly probably did...

        It is no secret that Carly Henley began taking Zoloft not long before her death, and among the cautions on the warning label on the package is:    "...may cause suicidality..."


        That then-recent change in Carly's life and routine remains the most prominent factor in how Carly evolved to end her life during the initial weeks of her junior year at university. Even from afar it is very uncomfortable to consider that someone so sought-after is gone by her own choosing. It would seem a good deal more confusing were there not that one, possible explanation for her final decisions.


        Rest in peace, Carly.






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