Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Robinson.
Hi Linda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a woman whose trials and tribulations made her realize who she truly is and to whom she belongs too. I’m a woman who no longer cares what others think of me and someone who lives life for oneself with no explanation. I’m a proud Blasian woman who pushes and live for DEI, women’s rights, voting rights, education access for all, and building a better community. Yes, I’m a true feminist!! I’m God-fearing!!
My life changed in 2019 after I lost my brother Mark Robinson to death by suicide. He suffered from depression, and anxiety and had panic attacks. He always had suicidal tendencies and tried to take his life a few times. He was successful on October 24, 2019. I found my brother unresponsive after receiving a phone call from my daughter because he didn’t show up to work.
After attending a GriefShare group and seeing a therapist, I started piecing my life back together. God started using me to be the voice around mental health and mental illness and an advocate for suicide prevention. I was introduced to NAMI STL by a friend who lost her son to suicide. I didn’t want to tell what happened to my brother, but as I tried to move on, the thought of suicide and not letting another family go through what I went through, I prayed and asked God to lead me. I formed a team in my brother’s honor, and we walked to raise awareness and stop the stigma around mental health and mental illness. My goal now is to bring awareness and educate the community on the importance of mental health and mental illness, especially in the black community. It’s such a stigma around mental health and mental illness that the black community does not seek the help needed to heal their trauma or any mental illness they may be going through. Plus, it’s always been unavailable in the black and brown communities until Covid hit. People realized how important their mental health and self-care are to them.
I am a group facilitator for NAMI STL, and I support family members or individuals living with mental illness. I Co-facilitate with another individual, and our goal is for the group to talk about mental illness and try to help them cope with it. We also provide resources if needed. NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. It’s a national organization with chapters all over the US.
I recently was interviewed by the St. Louis American regarding mental health and my brother Mark’s death by suicide. My goal is to keep mental health, mental illness, and suicide prevention in public as much as I can. Because of my interview with the St. Louis American where I mentioned the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), someone from there reached out to me to be an advocate and work with them so they can get into black and brown communities. I volunteered at their annual walk last year and will be forming a team in my brother’s honor this year. I will continue to advocate, fight and bring awareness to suicide prevention. Lately, death by suicide has been in the news, affecting our youth and young adults. Every time I hear or read about another death by suicide, it breaks my heart, and the flashback of losing my brother triggers me into sadness.
My brother Mark’s death changed the way I look at life. I always knew life was precious. Now I take it very seriously. My family is my top priority. I make sure I find time for them and capture those special moments. Building a stronger relationship with God is important to me. God has me on a different journey than I planned for my life. My purpose and passion have changed. I’m no longer a community person who gave time, talent, and treasure to everyone and everything in the St. Louis area. I must be obedient and listen to God and this new mission he has me on. That’s fighting for mental health, mental illness, and suicide prevention and serving in that capacity. Even though I will still volunteer and assist others but not like I have been doing for 20+ years.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I was ashamed when I realized my brother had taken his life. I didn’t want people to judge or ridicule his action. So, I told everyone he had a heart attack. The stigma around death by suicide is looked at as a weakness or selfishness. I didn’t want my brother to be remembered negatively.
It was hard for me to share his story and his mental illness. When he was alive, he only told those very close to him. He didn’t want people to judge him. As I would put little hints on social media or talk to my friends, I would bounce around the topic of saying he lost his life to suicide. Going to a GriefShare group helped me move forward, and it’s okay that my brother lost his life to suicide. God still loved him no matter what. I am my brother’s keeper even in death.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Success looks different for all of us. I started off in the corporate world and then eventually went into the nonprofit sector. I’m the new Director of the Save Our Sisters program at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. My role is to empower, uplift, and inspire all women from all walks of life to be successful.
I’m most known for giving my time and talent back to the community and volunteerism. I’ve been a community volunteer for 20+ years, mainly serving nonprofits. I assisted with volunteer recruitment efforts, fundraising, event planning, and writing policy and procedures for the nonprofit volunteers. I’m a servant, so it’s my honor to give back to the community and bring joy to others.
I’m a Webster University Alumni with 2 master’s degrees: Human Resource Development and Nonprofit Leadership. I’m the President of the African American Association Chapter and have recently been elected as the VP of the Alumni Chapter at Webster University. I enjoy the relationships I have built with various administrators, professors, staff, and students at Webster University.
I have been recently elected to the Board of Education for the Maplewood-Richmond Height School District. I’m also an Alumnae.
I’m a member of the St. Louis County NAACP, and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis GUILD. I’m on the Board for Hatz 4 Hearts Foundation.
I’m most proud of being a mother and a grandmother. My goal is for them to be great human beings and love themselves to the fullest. I try to be the best role model and set an excellent example for them, so they can be able to become self-sufficient and God-fearing females. They can reach any goals they put their heart and mind into. I’m their #1 cheerleader!!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
God is always first and deserves all the credit. He is molding me into a great woman whose heart and passion will encourage others to be excellent in life and follow their passion. My deceased mother was my hero. I watched her struggle to take care of 4 children by herself. My mom was from South Korea and spoke very little English. She made miracles daily and loved us unconditionally. My mom served at her church, so I am a servant because of her.
I also credit the many professors from Webster University who believed in me and made sure I also believed in myself. Even now, I can reach out to them for advice, guidance, and as a reference. They encourage me to be successful, and I can do anything my heart desires.
I credit the many women who have crossed my path as I found myself in the corporate world. I had great women from diverse backgrounds who coached me, invited me to space that I could not imagine, and made me a great leader. Women’s leadership is also important to me. I assist as many women as possible to be successful and follow their passion.
Lastly, my friends and network continue to support me in all my endeavors and keep me encouraged. I have the best support system a person could ever imagine and ask for. The love and support I receive are a blessing and I’m so grateful to have so many wonderful friends in my life. They are my rock!!
Contact Info:
- Email: linda.robinsonstl@gmail.com
Image Credits
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