Tributes pour in for late USC Gamecocks alumna, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst
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Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst: 1991-2022
Cheslie Kryst, the Charlotte lawyer with deep ties to the Carolinas and later became the 2019 Miss USA, died by suicide in January 2022.
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Tributes poured in on social media for Cheslie Kryst after her death Sunday.
Kryst, 30, was a former Miss USA winner, an attorney and former track athlete for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. She died by suicide on Sunday, according to media reports.
After graduating from USC, Kryst received her law degree from Wake Forest University. She was active in charities and worked to reform the criminal justice system, according to CNN.
“Cheslie was a remarkably gifted young lawyer and someone I had come to know. My thoughts are with all who knew & loved her. For those who are struggling, please make your well-being a priority,” USC Interim President Harris Pastides tweeted Monday.
The University of South Carolina Black Alumni Council tweeted a photo of Kryst and the phone number for the national 24/7 suicide hotline, 1-800-273-8255, asking for all to “Please continue to keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.”
USC Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley quote-tweeted the Black Alumni Council’s tweet and reiterated the number for the suicide hotline.
Former S.C. state Rep. Bakari Sellers tweeted, “For many of us, today is a overwhelmingly sad day. @CheslieKryst may your memory be a blessing. Your life was such....a light.”
S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman noted on Twitter there is a special, state suicide hotline for teenagers — 864-77-TEENS (83367).
Bernice King, the CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, urged people to check on their mental health and to not assume somebody is doing OK because they seem to be doing OK on the surface.
International beauty pageant Miss Universe tweeted, “She was one of the brightest, warmest, and most kind people we have ever had the privilege of knowing. Our entire community mourns her loss.”
There is hope. Here are ways to get help
Suicide Prevention Lifeline — This line is for anyone in need of crisis help. The Lifeline is available 24/7, toll-free, nationwide, at (800) 273-TALK (8255) – phone call or text.
Crisis Text Line — The Crisis Text Line is for anyone in need of crisis assistance but who is not able or ready to call into a resource line. Earlier this year, South Carolina received its own code for the line. The Crisis Text Line can be reached 24/7, nationwide, toll-free, by texting HOPE4SC to 741741.
SC-HOPES — This statewide, toll-free support line, available to anyone aged 12 years or older, is designed for all South Carolinians impacted by COVID-19 or any other associated stressors. Callers are linked to resources for mental health or substance use treatment or other needs. SC-HOPES is available 24/7, toll-free, at (844) SC-HOPES (724-6737).
Tu Apoyo — This line is a Spanish-language companion line for SC-HOPES. Tu Apoyo is available from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, toll-free, at (833) TU-APOYO (882-7696).
Online Mental Health Screener — This recently launched tool is a safe, easy and free service that allows users to anonymously take a Self-Check Questionnaire and connect with a professional counselor who can offer guidance, support and resources to help connect them with mental health and addiction services. https://hope.connectsyou.org/. S.C. Department of Mental Health — The public mental health system, serving children, adolescents, adults and families through a network of 16 community-based mental health centers, with associated clinics. It serves all counties statewide. To find the location nearest you to learn more, visit scdmh.net or call (803) 898-8581.
S.C. Mobile Crisis — Mobile Crisis is for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Local Mobile Crisis Teams assess the crisis and can respond on-site, with law enforcement, if needed. S.C. Mobile Crisis is available 24/7/365, toll-free, statewide, at (833) 364-2274.
SCDMH Deaf Services Hotline — This line is dedicated to folks who are deaf or hard of hearing and in crisis or in need of resources. It is also available to contact for hospital consultation, telepsychiatry interpreter requests, and mental health center referrals. The Deaf Services Hotline is available 24/7, statewide, at (803) 339-3339 (VP) or deafhotline@scdmh.org.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Tributes pour in for late USC Gamecocks alumna, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst."
