Honoring my brother Fernandes, who took his life at only 21

Hello, my name is Maria Carolina, and I am the older sister of Fernandes Noberto. I come here with a heavy heart, filled with grief after the sudden loss of my beloved brother, who was only 21 years old and committed suicide on Sunday November 3rd. Three years ago, I left Brazil and moved to the USA in hopes of helping my family have a better life. I never thought I would return home to face something so devastating.

My brother Fernandes was an incredible person, unique, with a bright future ahead of him. He was studying Geography Education and worked as a teacher(all of this students loved him so much) He was intelligent, honest, and captivated everyone with his gentle nature. Everyone who knew him loved and admired him. However, behind that contagious smile, Fernandes was struggling with deep, unbearable depression that made him believe there was no way out.

Unfortunately, the pain became unbearable, and in the most incomprehensible tragedy, he decided to take his own life, hanging himself with a rope in his room at our mother’s house. Our mother, my stepfather (Fernandes's father), and my younger sister Nicolly, who is only 15 years old, were the ones who found him. The scene was traumatizing and left deep scars in our hearts. Since then, they have not been able to live in the house where Fernandes died; currently, they are staying at someone else's home, fighting daily against the trauma, the pain, and his absence. They can’t eat and suffer every day with this loss.

Depression is a reality that affects millions of people around the world. Only in 2021, it is estimated that about 700,000 people committed suicide, which results in approximately one death every 40 seconds. This means that every 40 seconds, someone around the world loses the battle against depression, including children and young people. As I write this message, hundreds of people are struggling with this silent disease. It is a serious problem that many ignore, but it is time to look at this reality with attention and compassion.

Fernandes's burial was a devastating moment, where over 350 people attended to pay their respects, demonstrating the love and influence he had in people's lives. Unfortunately, many loved ones still could not attend to say goodbye. These friends, teachers, family members, and students left touching comments on his Instagram, and I hope that everyone has the chance to read and translate these messages, as every word brings solace to our hearts.

Depression is undoubtedly one of the most terrible diseases of the century. Fernandes fought alone for a long time, and often, the help he needed did not come in time. Now, I need help so that my family can overcome this trauma and have the life that Fernandes dreamed for all of us. He fought every day, studying and working, and I know he wanted us to be okay.

I am counting on some people to help me not give up on offering a better life for my family. We need financial support to cover the burial expenses and for me to rent a new house where they can live while I fight to bring them here legally. I hope that together we can honor my little brother memory and raise awareness about the importance of taking care of mental health. Please I ask that you can help me assure that my family is a in safe place as where they live right now is dangerous and the conditions in my country in Brazil are extremely rough.

I sincerely thank each of you who can help us and everyone who can send prayers for my family. May God bless each of you who helps, and also those who, even without being able to help financially, offer their prayers and moral support. May God have received my brother Fernandes into His holy glory and may his memory continue to inspire us all to take care of one another and to value life.

With love and gratitude,

Maria Carolina