Laura Petit IMHI 2009 and founder of Scoop Me A Cookie.

We have recently been informed of the passing of Laura Petit, our very young member of the IMHI alumni community. Laura was an engaged entrepreneur, creative in every aspect, successful with her business. 

I have met Laura on some occasions during the first Get Togethers at the Hotel le Collectionneur. She graduated a year before me and stroked me as a positive, enthusiastic recent graduate, full of the wonderful possibilities that were ahead of her.

As some members of the AAIMHI board were present during the commemoration in Levallois Perret this morning, we learned of the terrible circumstances of her passing. Since it was mentioned during the ceremony, I feel free to share it here: Laura suffered since her youth from the terrible illness that can be bipolar disorder and she decided to end her life.

Naturally one comes to think on the power of a community - and its unfortunate limits. Should we have been able to see her distress? I recently wondered what she had become and why we did not see her on our events anymore. Should we have reacted?

We only can try to be better. 

Our IMHI community lost two bright and young women in the past two months. While we mourn these losses, we must come closer together and show our empathy, love and support to our all our IMHI friends around us.

RIP Laura.

#IMHIstrong