Charlotte Double-Murder Suicide Puts Spotlight on Stigma Around Mental Health Issues

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CHARLOTTE, NC – A community is searching for answers tonight after a Charlotte mother killed her two young children and took her own life. Those close to Christina Treadway say she was in denial about mental health issues.

“You don’t have to suffer in silence. There’s no shame. A mental condition is no different than a physical one,” says Fonda Bryant, with National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Bryant was diagnosed with clinical depression after a suicide attempt in 1995.

Now she works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“Our brain is an organ. Therefore, it can get sick but it can get better too,” Bryant says.

She says cases like a double-murder suicide over the weekend can be prevented.

Family members say 34-year-old Christina Treadway poisoned her two young children inside their Northwest Charlotte home on Saturday. Police have not confirmed that.

She then killed herself by jumping off a bridge.

The children died at the hospital.

“Everybody’s sort of overwhelmed by it and saddened. It’s a tough situation. Our hearts are broken,” says neighbor Jessica Beamer.

Isaiah Miller was only seven. His sister Iliyah was three.

WCCB Charlotte spoke to their paternal grandfather.

“She had a couple issues she was going through, mentally. And we tried to help her. You know, she was in denial,” Gregory Brown said Sunday.

Bryant says it’s important to step in, even if the person resists.

“Sometimes when a person is dealing with a mental health condition, you have to override what they’re thinking and do what’s best for them,” Bryant says.

Her biggest concern is the stigma and embarrassment that comes with admitting you need help.

“People do not have empathy and compassion for people who have mental health and addiction, because we’re portrayed as crazy, insane,” she says.

She also says treatment can work.

“They don’t realize that we can get better. I’m standing proof that you can get better and you can live a good life,” Bryant says.