Through unspeakable tragedy, a family is raising awareness for mental health

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Behind every text, there is a story. Such is the case with Cedar Rapids Gazette sportswriter Jeff Johnson.

“It was a present. It could even have been a birthday present,” Johnson said.

On Saturday night, Johnson parted ways with his beloved Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis Blues Jersey. He put it up for auction in Saturday’s silent auction at the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders game.

“He’s just been my favorite player over the years because he’s been so dynamic as a scorer,” Johnson added.

All proceeds will go to the Abbe Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health services, in honor of his two nephews Cameron and Alex. Stacy Johnson and Wendy Bunch, Jeff’s sisters, lost their children just months apart.

“I know what she’s going through, unfortunately, and she knows what I’m going through,” Wendy said. “So I know how she felt when my son took his own life because she went through the same thing you know with my nephew.”

Alex became Johnson by adoption, he was the oldest of four.

“It was a great blessing,” Wendy said. “He would have been a great father.”

Ham was the middle child among three.

“He was the kind of kid I see who was going to go places,” Bunch said.

Although they have been through a tragedy, their mission is to share their experiences in hopes of helping someone else.

“If only we could help one person realize that there is no stigma attached to mental health.” Johnson said.

“This is real,” Stacy said. “It’s not something to sweep under a rug or pretend it’s not around us, it’s everywhere around us.”

They believe that mental illness does not discriminate and that it is important for those struggling to know that it is okay to talk about it. It’s also okay to seek help.

“I wish the kids had known,” Stacy said.

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