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Mayor Alyia Gaskins posted a video this morning that I'd encourage everyone in Alexandria to watch. I've linked it below.
She spoke about the news so many of us woke up to yesterday — that Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a mother and dentist, was killed by her soon-to-be-ex-husband, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, before he took his own life. She noted that yesterday also marked 19 years since the Virginia Tech shooting. She mentioned the death investigation that took place yesterday at Windmill Park, believed to be a suicide. And she mentioned the child struck by a car near William Ramsay Elementary, who is expected to recover.
"The news has been heavy," she said, "and it's okay to not be okay." Her ask was simple: be a little kind. Sometimes less is more. Sometimes you don't have to say anything at all.
A note on our coverage: You may have noticed that The Alexandria Brief did not report on the two death investigations in our community this week. That was a deliberate choice, consistent with reporting guidelines from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and SAMHSA. When a death is private and there's no public-safety or investigative angle that requires coverage, we generally don't cover it. The Brief will always include mental health resources with stories involving death. And we are always happy to talk with readers who want to understand how we make these calls.
If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
What I want to say beyond that is this:
Not every day or week can be the great one. We can't always be announcing teacher of the year or celebrating something. Some weeks, the news is just heavy, and there isn't a way to make that land gently in an inbox.
But when the news gets this heavy, it reminds me how lucky we are most weeks — when the biggest argument in town is a bike lane on Braddock Road, or who's going to win a City Council seat on Tuesday, or whether the add/delete list has the right number on it. Those are good problems. I'll take them. Every time.
To Alexandrians reading this: take care of yourselves this weekend. Check on your neighbors. Go to Saturday's budget hearing if you have something to say, or don't. Vote on Tuesday. Argue about the bike lane. That's the good stuff.
We're in this together. Just remember to be kind — you never know if someone else is having a good week or a heavy week.
Resources:
- Alexandria Domestic Violence Program: 703-746-4911 (24/7)
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
- Alexandria Community Health Improvement Plan: The Alexandria Health Department is seeking resident input on mental health resources and supports.
