Ja’Red Brackens, founder of ‘Patching Pain’, poses in the Martin University Center with a collection of pieces. Patching Pain is a fashion branded centered around removing the stigma of mental health conversations. [Photo courtesy Ja’Red Brackens]

Ja’Red Brackens was faced with devastating news of his classmate David’s suicide at the end of their senior year of high school. This information was difficult for him to process; not only was he young, but his graduating class consisted of only 32 people. This loss was felt intensely and affected every soul in his small town.  

“The class being so small, you’re close with people. You see them every day,” Ja’Red said.  

In the stages of grieving, Ja’Red found himself in a constant state of reflection. He questioned Generation Z and the touchy subject that surrounds them—mental health.  

“I was just like ‘what can I do? What can I do to make things better? What can I do to make people talk about mental health?’” he said.  

So how could Jared engage others in the forbidden mental health conversation? Fashion. Everyone wears clothes, but clothes with a message, a goal and a purpose made sense to him and his attempt to reach others. 

There are different ways of processing grief, and senior Ja’Red Brackens turned his into his own brand: ‘Patching Pain.’ Through threads and designs, he works to ensure that the memories he holds dearly will continue to blossom. 

To some, it seems like the world has turned terrifyingly cold. It’s normal to see negative social media comments attempting to make a stranger laugh at the expense of someone else’s feelings. Cruelty has become casual. Mental health battles remain silent.  

“I didn’t notice he was going through mental health issues, so to find out he was going through things and couldn’t handle it anymore hit me hard. I knew then that I had to do something. I just can’t let it sit on my conscious without doing anything,.” Ja’Red said. “I wanted to be the voice he didn’t have.” 

Equipped with a newfound purpose, early success let Ja’Red know that his new endeavor would have the impact he was looking to make.

“My first drop for Patching Pain was a ‘Rich off Pain’ shirt. I created it, and it sold out within the first two or three days of being released. That let me know that this is what I was supposed to be doing,” he said. “It didn’t take me long to sell, so I knew I was doing the right thing. For me, all I had to do was break this thing around mental health with clothes.”  

Above all else, Ja’Red refuses to be placed in a box. A member of the cheer team and Ram Ryders, vice president of the Black Student Association and a clothing designer, he juggles all his responsibilities effortlessly.  

Becoming a business owner brought opportunities for others around Ja’Red as well. To increase the exposure of his brand, he reached out to multiple people to help promote Patching Pain. His newfound friend at Texas Wesleyan, senior mass communication Kayla Wildy, was one of them. In just a few cool Instagram photos, Kayla effortlessly attached her personal style to the brand.  

“I met Ja’Red through the track and field program here at Texas Wesleyan. Patching Pain first caught my eye because it’s rooted in mental health. I’m very passionate about mental health, which is why I became involved and began to model for this brand. His dedication is obvious,” Wildy said.

One person that has been around throughout this entire creative process is his twin brother Jarod Brackens.  

“As someone who’s watched Patching Pain since the beginning, I feel proud and inspired. It’s been amazing to see how much of an impact it has had on so many people,” Jarod said. “His ability to resonate with people, treat everyone as if he’s known them forever and makes them feel truly heard has not only made his business popular, but has helped them is meaningful ways.” 

Struggles aren’t defining, and Ja’Red confirms that through his creations. Pain can be turned into something powerful. He encourages everyone around him to turn their travails into something worthwhile and memorable. Encouraging conversations about mental health removes its negative stigma. 

September is suicide awareness month. There is always help whenever you may feel you need it. There are services available.  

988lifeline.org 

National Alliance on Mental Health- 703-524-7600  

JPS Health Network Psychiatric Emergency Center: 817-702-4151