Air Force’s Lamoureux overcomes depression

Image by Auntie P via Flickr

I like to write or comment on any sport related motivational story for those who are into ice hockey this guy has a great story and timely observations.

Jacques Lamoureux, a
accolades typical of a team leader quickly fill the air. amoureux, according to consensus, is a rink rat,
Lone of those guys who is the first one on the ice and the last one off.

So it hardly is a surprise to learn that when Lamoureux was at his lowest point, when it seemed as if nothing could relieve the pain except a more forceful squeeze on the shotgun he was curled beside, ‘lamoureux’s wake-up call did not occur due to any surrender to his own misery.

It happened because his depression was putting someone else he cared for in jeopardy.
Lamoureux, then a teenager battling a depressive state that seemed all-encompassing, did not want his misery to bring harm to his brother sleeping beside him.

“When it got to the point where I recognized myself that I needed help was when I was sleeping with my dad’s shotgun and my little brother was sleeping on the mattress next to my bed,” I was trying to make little cries for help, but I don’t think they were being taken as serious as they should have been. I just said I needed to get help, or something might happen.”

Lamoureux got help, setting off a journey through depression that would involve heartache, recovery, dedication and frustration

Dark days

Teenage depression often is not identified until it is too late, after a child hurts himself, or worse.

Lamoureux was aware enough to reach out when he needed help, an act of admission made easier by the support he knew he had within his family.

Raised in Grand Forks, N.D., Lamoureux grew up in a hockey household. Feeling the pressure of following in the footsteps of his father and brother, while also enduring a painful breakup, Lamoureux finally confided in his mother about the full extent of his depression.

After an immediate trip to the emergency room, Lamoureux was paired with a psychologist and prescribed antidepressants.

” I put a lot of pressure on myself to play well and be recognized. I think that kind of snowballed.

“You see that a lot with teenagers today. . . . They break up with people and they think their world is coming down. I think that happened with me, and it spiraled out of control before I could get a handle on it.”

It was during this time in Bismarck that Lamoureux discovered another outlet for his demons. For a composition assignment, Lamoureux recounted a small portion of his tale.

Encouraged by his teacher as well as a psychology instructor, Lamoureux began speaking to classes at his school about what he had endured and how they too could get help if they ever fell into such dire straits.

After his story was published in several local news outlets, a representative from Yellow Ribbon, a national organization dedicated to preventing suicide, helped arrange for Lamoureux to speak at several schools in Pennsylvania.

Lamoureux’s demands at the academy have not allowed him to schedule similar speaking engagements around Colorado Springs, but he said he would welcome the opportunity.

“The responses that I got and my teacher got helped a lot of people into the process of getting help,” La- moureux said. “There are a lot of kids that have the same type of problems, but you don’t know about it because it’s not talked about. If it helps one person, then I’m doing my job.”

The long road

His hockey and academic careers back on track, Lamoureux set his sights on college – specifically, Air Force.

Yet while Lamoureux more than fulfilled academic and athletic requirements, his depression, combined with the medication he had been prescribed years earlier, came back to haunt him.

The academy failed to clear Lamoureux medically, denying his admission.

Lamoureux couldn’t help thinking he should have been on that team.

given that Lamoureux had been off medication for years and had excelled academically at Northern Michigan, a window of opportunity was open.

Lamoureux eventually was accepted, spending last season getting acclimated to the academy while taking a redshirt season because of NCAA transfer rules.

“I hoped they would think that I was over the depression now that it had been four or five years,” Lamoureux said. “I did well in school, did well in hockey. I figured I’d give it another shot and, hopefully, they’d let me in this time. Thankfully, they did.”

Flying start

“We knew he would be a great addition to our team, but I don’t think anyone thought in their wildest dreams that he would be doing the things that he’s done and contributing like he has been. He’s worked hard and pushed himself and put himself in the position he’s in.”

Lamoureux stormed out of the gate, posting multiple points in the first six games before hitting a three-game lull that ended with a two-assist effort during a sweep of Sacred Heart last week.

Chances are, Lamoureux, like all hockey players, will hit another scoring drought at some point this season. But after surviving the trials that brought him to this time and place, he never will feel so despondent and lost regarding something as simple as a disappointing game.

“You always hear, ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ ” La- moureux said. “I’ve read a lot of books on different players’ approaches to the game, and it’s the hardships you go through playing hockey that make you a better player. It’s the same thing in your personal life. When you go through tough times, it’s going to make you stronger mentally and make you more prepared for things that come up.

So  what is the take home for us, may be, it is, a dark time is not always the end of the road if you are involved in sport and you take a dive in your results, take a step back and connect with a passion not a result.

If you are part of the 1 in five statistics of insistences of depression get help, find a friend, hell man I don’t know you but I care speak up you can be heard by people who understand.

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