09/21/2026
STOP THE SILENCE. BREAK THE SHAME. LET’S HAVE THE CONVERSATION.
Sometimes our young people are carrying things they don’t know how to explain.
Sometimes they’re struggling behind a smile.
Sometimes parents know something is wrong but don’t know what to say.
Sometimes educators, mentors, coaches, and youth leaders see the signs but need a way to begin the conversation.
That is part of why my son Donte and I wrote DON’T QUIT: This Is NOT the End.
This book is personal.
It was written from two perspectives both the perspective of a mother who loves her son and also brings years of professional experience working with children and families, and the perspective of a teenage son willing to share his own experiences of navigating mental crisis.
Our goal was to help break the silence and shame surrounding mental and emotional struggles and give families and communities something they could actually use to start talking and be proactive with preventive solutions.
We wanted to touch:
A teenager can read it and recognize, “I’m not the only one.”
A parent can use it to open conversations that may otherwise feel uncomfortable.
An educator or youth leader can use it to create meaningful discussions about emotional wellness, resilience, coping, asking for help, and hope.
Because sometimes the conversation we are afraid to have is exactly the conversation someone needs us to have.
This SEPTEMBER we have a PAY-IT-FORWARD SPECIAL!
For Su***de Awareness Month, We want these books in the hands of more adolescents, teens, young adults, parents, schools, churches, mentoring programs, and youth organizations.
So for the remainder of September:
BUY ONE. GIVE ONE.
2 signed books for $20 (the price of ONE).
Keep one for your family, classroom, organization, church, or program and intentionally give the second copy to another student or family.
Imagine what could happen if each of us helped start one more conversation.
This September, don’t just raise awareness.
Start a conversation.
Share a resource.
Reach a young person.
Pay hope forward. 💛
👇🏾 Comment “DON’T QUIT” to reserve your 2 signed copies for $20.
Please share this or tag a parent, educator, counselor, coach, church leader, mentor, youth organization, or community leader who works with young people.
Their story is not over. This is NOT the end. 💛
Thank you in advance!
***deAwarenessMonth
