Hope starts with you!

My family and I were directly affected and didn’t even know it until it happened. 4 years ago my husband left for work, no sign, no note and drove 10 minutes from home and took his life. Our lives were shattered.

My heart breaks for those that may be dealing with emotions inside that they do not know how to talk about. As my husband’s person, his wife, I didn’t even know. I didn’t see any signs, and my wish is to help those that are living with thoughts they don’t know how to control, may be embarrassed about or do not know how to deal with, to help them find a way and be more open about talking about it because it is something that is treatable just as if you were going to doctors because you didn’t feel well. To help those that may be directly affected by somebody with these types of feelings to except them to help them and to not label them. This is how we will make the change and I feel this is how people will become more open to talking about how they feel because there isn’t a stigma placed on them.

I’m so thankful that you all are bringing awareness to this type of situation and bringing light onto it so that we can be the beacon of light for those around us who are affected by mental illness.

I feel that if it was more openly talked about, and there wasn’t such a stigma that you were crazy or nuts, or that you might be picked on or that people will avoid you that there would be a lower suicide rate in those living and dealing with a mental illness or people in their life that are dealing with mental illness, know that there is help and how to help those around them. Also, to be aware of the signs.

I’m looking forward to being part of this and learning more and how to help spread awareness and breaking the stigma around mental illness and promoting good positive mental health. I truly believe that everybody in this world deserves to have the tools to help create an environment that fuels our brains with positivity and what to do when it does not.