Kyren Lacy’s father embraces the community to speak up about mental health

GONZALES, La. (Louisiana First) — Former LSU football star Kyren Lacy’s father is asking everyone to erase the stigma around mental health and speak up.

With Kyren Lacy’s photo on the football field as a backdrop, a community is united in grief but determined to find a way to move forward. 

“When I talk about Kyren, it’s hard but easy at the same time too, because of the good memories we have, because he was such a character,” Kenny Lacy said.

It was all part of a night called “Mind Matters”, a Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Initiative, held in the Ascension Room at Mike Anderson’s in Gonzales.

It gave Kyren Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, a place to speak about his feelings on his star LSU football player’s son’s death.

“One of the things we’re here to talk about tonight about mental health. He made sure everyone around him was good, even though he knew he wasn’t good, so it was hard for us to know that he wasn’t good,” Lacy said. 

The night included several panelists, who all had our community’s mental health in mind.

“With the holidays approaching, we know that depression normally comes heavy on people, whether they lost someone during the holiday season or just, period, throughout the year,” event organizer Romain Leblanc said.

Leblanc founded the L.E.A.D. organization, which meets monthly at Mike Anderson’s Gonzales to provide faith-based community mental health support and fellowship.

Mr. Lacy shared many fond memories of his firstborn son, Kyren, who tragically took his own life as he was involved in legal issues.

Kenny said his son did not want to say much about the pain he was going through, because he didn’t want to upset his family. That’s why he wants to take this opportunity to remind people to speak up if they need help.

Anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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