It’s still your life, so hold on to it tightly. Find ways each day to do something—even something little—no matter where you are in your emotional journey! You never know who is watching; you never know when a little bit of community may come your way.

“People with mental illness are your neighbors, your teachers, your doctors; you can be… successful and have a mental illness.” Leah DeMarest—owner of Flourishing Engagements—has experienced the topic of suicide in both a personal and professional context and understands the stigma associated with suicide and suicide loss. We are thankful that she was willing to spend a few minutes with us!

“Nothing, in fact, actually dies: everything goes on existing, always. No power on Earth can obligate that which has once had being. Every act, every word, every form, ever thing, falls into the universal ocean of things, and produces a ripple on its surface that goes on enlarging beyond the furthest bounds of eternity.” — History of a Suicide

For those experiencing the loss of someone we love due to suicide, it is common to feel isolated and alone. Please utilize these resources to help bridge the divide and give you strength to understand, room to breathe, and knowledge to find healing.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with an average of 125 people dying by suicide each day. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those aged 15-34. There is an immense groundswell of efforts for suicide prevention and mental health awareness—but what about the support for those left behind?

Over the years, we have come to realize that so many of us believe that we are walking through life alone; we believe that our struggles have never been felt by others and that no one can truly understand how we are feeling. It is only when we open up and talk with others that we see we may not be alone.