Kyren Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, warns all parents, “Check on your kids mental!”

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 14, 2025, 11:54 IST

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Kenny Lacy, father of former LSU Tigers receiver Kyren Lacy, shared a heartbreaking Facebook post following his son's death at 24. He urged parents to address mental health early, noting that outward appearances can mask inner struggles. Lacy emphasized the importance of open communication and recognizing signs of distress, highlighting that mental health issues are often invisible but profoundly impactful.

Kyren Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, warns all parents, “Check on your kids mental!”

(Image via Getty: Kyren Lacy)

Kenny Lacy, father of the 24-year-old former LSU Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy, shared an emotional, alarming, and heartbreaking post on his Facebook. The message comes hours after he lost his son, a future NFL player. Kenny Lacy talks about mental health and how it’s important to check on your kids because beneath the ‘It’s cool, I'm cool’ facade lies a self that may be wounded, hurt, depressed, stressed, worried, tired, emotional, sad, morose, or plain numb. Kenny Lacy's message read, "Our lives have changed forever, and this will never be ok, but God needed my baby more than he was needed here."

Kenny Lacy urges young parents not to ignore the signs of disturbed mental health in their kids

Kenny Lacy’s Facebook message came hours ago, which read,

“Young parents, start talking to your kids at a very early age and make sure they are confident and comfortable confiding in you. Don’t be cool with “I’m Alright, or I’m good” when you know deep down something isn’t right. Mental Health is real, and for the most part, it’s invisible, don’t ignore the signs, even if they may seem small. Our lives have changed forever, and this will never be ok, but God needed my baby more than he was needed here. This has to be the biggest pill our families have had to swallow, but I know the love and compassion in our families will get us through. This will never get easier, but we’ll learn to live with it. Check on your kids mental!!!!!!!!!!!”

Signs of disturbed mental health in kids beneath the “I’m okay, I’m cool, it’s alright” facade

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHS), kids who feel like - it’s the end of the world - show the following signs:

They talk about wanting to die
They feel intense guilt, shame, or regret
They feel like a burden to the people in their lives
They have no hopes in life, in the future, in tomorrow
They feel trapped where they live, go, or be
They find no reason to live any longer
They exhibit extreme forms of anger, agitation, irritation, sadness, depression, anxiety, and stress
They feel unbearable emotional pain - may be because of a breakup, a fight with a friend, lost love, inability to appear for an exam, taunts from near and dear ones, or any other form of stress from their surroundings that could cause shame in them
They feel unbearable physical pain
They eat or sleep more
Using substances - drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol
Taking dangerous risks like driving the vehicle too fast
Withdrawing relationships from friends, peers, and family members - saying goodbyes, giving up on important items, writing a will
Researching or planning on ways to die, how to commit suicide, painless ways of dying

If you see any of these signs in your kids or other kids - near you, around you, or someone you know, please contact the nearest suicide prevention helpline, healthcare professional, or mental healthcare professional.
Also Read:Kyren Lacy Death: Kyren Lacy, former LSU Tigers wide receiver, dies at 24 before grand jury hearing | NFL News - The Times of India

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