Student Athlete Signs of Suicide & Risk Factors – Bryce Gowdy
Jamal T. Jackson, MSW
January 1, 2020
Bryce Gowdy, a student athlete out of Deerfield Beach, Florida was set to enroll at Georgia Tech in January 2020 on a full ride football scholarship. Unfortunately, he died from suicide two days ago. After reading a few articles and listening to his mother Shibbon Winelle’s facebook live statement, it sounds like Bryce was a good kid! According to the media outlets and his family he was concerned for his families well-being, frequently checking up on his mother, brothers, aunts and uncles and reaching out to those family members for support when he needed to. Bryce also received good grades, which definitely supported the possibility for athletic scholarships. Combine that with his athletic prowess as a four star recruit and an exceptional character reference from his head coach and one might think life is all good!
However, what you will find in the articles and his mother’s video are hardships Bryce and his immediate family faced. Unfortunately, these hardships included homelessness, financial and mental health challenges. Bryce’s mother mentioned some warning signs of suicide present in Bryce prior to his death. The signs included, talking in circles about things his family was going through financially and with recently becoming homeless, as well as what Shibbon Winelle referred to as a paranoid state where Bryce described being trapped by doors and mirrors.
It is unfortunate that Bryce Gowdy is no longer with us and that we have to learn from his life in order to address mental health challenges within athletics. Although the conversation of suicide may be uncomfortable, maybe we need to be uncomfortable! That way we can begin to not only have conversations about suicide, but also create more exposure of mental health supports for student athletes. It is my hope that more exposure will lead to more resources for student athletes. With that being said, it is extremely important to be aware of the warning signs and risk factors of suicide which are listed below. My condolences to the family and friends of Bryce Gowdy! Blessings up!!!
| WARNING SIGNS | RISK FACTORS |
| Displaying extreme mood swings | Mental disorders – including but not limited to anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders |
| Acting anxious, agitated, & or reckless | Hopelessness |
| Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself | Experience with loss – including but not limited to loss of close family member/friend, home, job, and parents separating/divorce |
| Increase in substance use | Stigma associated with mental health |
| Feelings of hopelessness | Trauma history |
| Withdrawing or isolating from others | Aggressive/impulsive behaviors |
If you’re unsure of how to obtain help, contact a professional in the mental health field. Below are resources!
- Feeling depressed, sad or going through any kind of emotional crisis and don’t want to talk? TEXT 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Additionally, a GOFUNDME has been set up in Bryce’s honor. If you would like to Donate the link is below!