Suicide Is Real Tonight

It's 8:12pm, I'm on my phone laying in a hotel room ready for tomorrow's high school assembly when a message on Facebook comes through. It's a friend telling me another friend lost a family member to #Suicide. 

I know this family from a speaking engagement in Kansas. They're a very close and well to-do family. Probably a family that didn't think it would happen to them. 

I don't know all the details and it doesn't matter. I've called and offered my support. I'm messaging a family member now with what they can do. Really, what that can you do?  I mean, he had three kids and a wife, large family - brothers and sisters. 

You ask God, "Why?"  Mental illness doesn't judge or pick. Mental illness is not an Individual issue. Mental issue is about the whole family. 

Please don't ever think you're too good to ask for help. Don't ever be too proud to seek professional help. Whatever, you might be fighting right now is temporary. It will be ok. Know that life is worth living. Your wife matters. Your kids matter. YOU matter. 

Give someone a hug tonight. Give someone a smile tonight. Give of yourself tonight. 

If this was your family you'd be crushed right now. 

Every 15 seconds we lose a life too soon. 

Sorry if this saddens you or you think this isn't the platform, but it's real. 

I know this family would never have thought it would happen to them. So sad. 

#Suicide #MentalIllness #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #NotTheSolution