September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide, encouraging conversations about mental health and reminding people that asking for help is OK. While September gives us a reason to have these conversations, suicide prevention is something that matters every day of the year. For some, suicide may feel like a difficult topic to talk about. For others, it is something that they have experienced firsthand through the loss of someone they love. For me, it is both.
On June 3, 2026, I lost my Papa to suicide. He was the best man I’ve ever known. He was someone I had known and loved my entire life, which made his death. The first time I experienced losing a family member. I've known my whole life. But what makes this loss especially difficult is that I never knew he was struggling. His struggles were silent. I never thought that someone I knew so well could be hurting in a way. I could not see. Losing him showed me that sometimes the people that we love the most can be struggling without anyone knowing. Someone can smile, laugh, go to work, spend time with their family and still be fighting a battle that no one else sees.
Through his death, I have personally seen the effects that suicide has on families and loved ones. Suicide does not only affect the person who is struggling. At least people behind who loved them, people who miss them and people who may spend a long time wondering what they could have done differently.
That is why checking on your people matters.
Ask your friends how they are really doing. Check on your family. Reach out to the person who has been a little quieter than usual. Listen without judgment. Sometimes you may not know someone is struggling until you give them a reason to open up.
And if you are the person who is struggling, please know that it is okay to ask for help.
You do not have to have the right words. You do not have to wait until things become unbearable. You do not have to handle everything by yourself. Reaching out does not make you weak. It makes you human.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis lifeline. You can also reach out to a trusted friend, family member, counselor, Coach, professor or anyone you feel safe talking to.
You are not alone.
You are loved.
Even if you cannot see it right now, there are people who want you here. There are people who would rather hear from you when you are struggling then have to wonder how they could’ve helped.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, but your life does not become more valuable because it is September. You are not only loved during this month. You are loved in October, November, December, and every month that follows.
You are loved all year long.
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