September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and this month has a personal meaning for me.
I know what it is like to experience a moment when life feels heavier than hope. I also know how much life can exist on the other side of that moment. I don’t share my story because I have all the answers, but because I’ve learned that sometimes simply knowing someone else has been there can help us feel a little less alone.
Today, I’m grateful for the life I’ve been able to live, the people I’ve met, the places I’ve gone, and even the ordinary days I once couldn’t imagine reaching.
So this September, I simply ask that we check on one another, listen a little more closely, and lead with kindness. We rarely know the full weight someone else is carrying.
Sometimes staying is the bravest decision we will ever make. And sometimes, it gives life the chance to surprise us.
If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.