SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A grieving mother is speaking out after her 23-year-old son took his own life last month.
Amanda East says she saw no warning signs in her son, Caleb East. She says the Missouri State University graduate had everything going for him in life.
“He was just very smart and very intelligent and just a happy, happy person,” she said.
She says her son Caleb East was a normal, fun-loving child who grew to be a well-adjusted young professional. But she says, something changed.
“He became very paranoid. I don’t remember exactly what he said. He said he started hearing things or seeing things, one of the two. He ended up in a psych ward for a couple of days. That’s when they diagnosed him with bipolar and put him on this medication,” she explained.
Amanda East says she believes the medication may have made his condition worse.
“He seemed to be okay, but he did say that he was struggling. One of the last texts I got from him, he said the last week was the hardest of his whole life. But he said he had a doctor’s appointment coming up and he hoped something good would come of it. Then the next thing I know, I got the phone call,” she said.
On April 3rd, authorities say Caleb East was driving on Interstate 44 in Springfield when he pulled off the road and walked into traffic.
He was hit by a semi-truck and taken to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
“It was out of the blue, out of nowhere. None of it adds up. None of it makes any sense,” said Amanda East. ” I feel like I somehow could have made him feel more comfortable, that he could have come to me, you know, instead of the alternative, I guess.”
She says it’s time to destigmatize struggles with mental health.
“Society goes out of its way to teach men or males not to speak about their feelings. You know, ‘be the man,’ and ‘be tough, and ‘be strong.’ I would say that should go out the window when it comes to something this serious. If you’re struggling, absolutely reach out to somebody,” she said.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is out there. Calls to the 988 suicide and crisis hotline is strictly confidential and available 24 hours a day.
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