09/02/2026
September marks National Su***de Prevention Month.
But here is the uncomfortable truth:
Mental health is still too often treated as something to hide. Too many people are told, "My door is always open," only to find that when they finally reach out, the support isn't really there.
Right now, across this country, tens of thousands of families are grieving loved ones lost to su***de. At this very moment, veterans, service members, first responders, and everyday Americans are fighting battles nobody can see, trying to find a reason to stay another day.
I know that fight personally.
After multiple su***de attempts, I understand what it feels like to believe there is no way forward. I understand the darkness, the isolation, and the feeling that nobody could possibly understand.
But I also know this:
Recovery starts with one simple step that can feel impossible in the moment.
Pick up the phone.
Send the text.
Make the call.
Reach out.
Talk to someone.
Use the resources available to you.
That one conversation may not solve everything overnight, but it can be the difference between suffering alone and beginning the journey toward healing.
If you're struggling today, please know that your story is not over. There are people who care. There are people who will listen. There are people who will stand beside you until you find your footing again.
And for those who are doing okay right now, check on your people. The strongest smile in the room often hides the deepest pain.
This month, let's do more than raise awareness. Let's break the stigma. Let's have the hard conversations. Let's be the support we wish existed when we needed it most.
One call.
One conversation.
One life saved.
***dePreventionMonth ***deAwareness
