An emotional tribute from one of Cody Gomes’ closest friends has offered a deeply personal reflection on the 24-year-old’s life, while encouraging greater compassion and awareness around mental health.
In a social media post shared following Gomes’ death, his best friend, Amiaha James, described him as someone who was surrounded by love and support but who struggled to see himself the way others saw him.
“My boy hit a brick wall a long time ago,” James wrote. “If you thought he didn’t have love and support around him, you’re wrong. He was deeply loved. The problem was that he couldn’t see himself the way everyone else saw him.”
She said Gomes often felt as though his life was “going in circles” and carried emotional burdens that were largely hidden from those around him.
James also reflected on how people can conceal profound emotional pain behind an outward appearance of normalcy, urging others not to assume that someone who appears to be coping is free from personal struggles.
“The person you speak to every day, the one who seems okay because they carry their burdens so well, could be silently fighting a battle you know nothing about,” she wrote.
Her message encouraged people experiencing depression or emotional distress to seek support and to remember that difficult periods can pass.
“Don’t make a permanent decision during a temporary season of depression,” James wrote. “As long as there’s breath in your body, there’s still hope. Every new day is another chance to make different choices and hold on a little longer.”
She concluded the tribute by asking for understanding rather than judgment.
“Please forgive my best friend. He fought harder than most of us will ever know.”
Gomes was found unresponsive at his Swetes home early Monday morning. Police have said the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation and have urged the public to allow his family privacy while inquiries continue.
If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress, reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, counsellor, doctor, pastor or another mental health professional can help. If there is an immediate concern for someone’s safety, seek emergency assistance without delay.
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It was already ordained that he who took the vaccine would resort to suicide and other self inflicted pain. Good thing I never took that vaccine.
jack@$$!
Time and place for everything. Right in the midst of a family going through agony this is the best you could’ve said?
“Life going in circles” makes sense. That tends to happen when parents pass away at a critical life juncture and the child is left to fend for themselves in many regards while watching those around feed from a fattened calf that they should have also been partaking of. Its not easy. Those eating pretend not to see because they don’t want their portion to decrease but they see. You are your brother’s keeper.
There is No such thing as mental health.. it is just a battle between Jesus and the devil .. in the beginning, God made Adam and eve then he said this is Good.. then after they sinned all hell broke loose “ literally”.. so let’s just say it’s because of sin …
It’s foolish delusional speech like this is why people slip through the cracks ..a man feel low and all u go tell he is go too church without helping him identify what is troubling him and working towards a solution.
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I used to watch the Christian television program The 700 Club. One of the hosts was Sheila, and I remember thinking she was a warm and inspiring person. I was shocked to learn years later that she had attempted to take her own life. I struggled to understand how someone with such strong Christian faith, who encouraged others to live with hope, could experience such despair.
Wanting to understand more, I did my own research. I also read about a Russian author who came from a family with a history of suicide. She said she would do everything in her power never to take her own life, yet she eventually died by suicide. I also learned that some people being treated for depression may experience suicidal thoughts if they abruptly stop taking their medication.
From what I have learned, I have come to believe that severe depression is a serious medical condition. In some cases, willpower and faith alone may not be enough to prevent suicide. Professional treatment, including appropriate medical care and mental health support, can be essential. Because of this, I do not believe it is fair to simply blame people who die by suicide, as they may have been struggling with an illness that profoundly affected their thinking and judgment.
Condolences to the families and friends sooo sad!
@My opinion everyone is entitled to their own opinion regardless of what they’re basing it on; however, in my opinion your spewing fuckery. One of the biggest stressors which haunts humans is the indoctrination through religion.
It has nothing to do with vaccines…Antiguans like to take up problems they can’t handle so you’ll like to commit suicide smh….he has non partisan with God do you’ll read the bible????
Please don’t blame the vaccine for anything,i personally took four shots of the vaccine, and i am one of the most talented,and active person here in Antigua and Barbuda 🇦🇬
Guys guys guys…
I/We can sit here and say that there is nothing in this world that could drive us to suicide, but as the bible says, “we dare not choose our lot”. The only person who can answer our questions right now is no longer here and those questions will forever go unanswered.
Please, just have a little compassion for him and his family and keep in mind that they may also be reading these comments. Words sting and are forever.
Surround them with love, compassion, understanding, and patience as they try to navigate this tragedy. You never know what the future holds, and GOD FORBID, you may find yourself in the same or similar situation.
People have been going through these things before vaccine.
Idc wah nobody say life have to life and god gave every man and woman a life too life NO MAN AND I SAID NO MAN HAVE ANY RIGHT TOO TAKE HIS OR HER OWN LIKE NAH MATTER WAH THE SITUATION BE SOMETIMES THINGS WOULD BE UP NF THE OTHER TIMES IS DWN ASF WE HAVE A PURPOSE ON EARTH AND WE R TO LIVE IT OUT TOO EACH HIS OWN HE AND WHO EVER KNOWS WHY HE DID THAT TOO HIM SELF CAUSE IDK WAH A YOUNG 24 YEAR OLD CAN DEY GO THRU SO FI GO KILL OFF SELF NUN SRRY TARL DEY BUT CONDOLENCES TOO THE FAMILY SHIT COULD’VE BEEN AVOIDED 💯🙏🏾😐😐
THERE’S ALWAYS A SOLUTION TOO EVERY AND ANY PROBLEM
VENTING IS #1
@wadad1 we need more people who think along the lines of u u clearly understand
You people sound real foolish talking about the vaccine.
Mental health concerns are real. A person can have all the love and support and still be depressed. Yall acting like this is something new. It’s not as if it’s more prevalent either we just hear about it more.
Heartfelt sympathy to Cody’s family. To all who comment, please show human empathy and realize that no one knows what thoughts will inhabit their consciousness in a state of a chemical or hormonal imbalance in the brain. Be kind, be compassionate.
No rational thinking person would deliverately harm another human, least of all themsekves.
The return to elemental innocence is universal and eternal. No matter how long we travel the journey of life, we must all make the crossing. We miss seeing you in our midst Cody. You are now in feelings of our heart and thoughts in our minds.
A beautiful life no longer breathes among us…the memory of Cody lives in the hearts and minds of all who loves him. When I think of him, I saw a child with eyes that looked to the future with such expectation. When I remember him these past days since he left us, I see the essence of his smile, his strength and energy for life. Be still my chikd…there is nothing to fear but fear itself .
Experience teaches truth. Who knows more truth than you came to know in your conscious existence and communication with the universe to which all flesh returns? When our turn comes to make the crossing, we will understand….