When No One Knows...

He didn't.

We know because he's still with us.

She didn't.

She told us why.

Yesterday was National Suicide Prevention Day. There's so many National Day this, and National Day that, that--to be honest--I get sort of numb to it, especially when something as serious as suicide is listed alongside such other National Days like National Doughnut Day, or National Left-Handers Day (okay, that last one is kind of cool, but is in no way as important...).

Yesterday, I sort of ignored it.

That is, until I read a social media post from an acquaintance. I don't know if I'll ever treat the day so lightly ever again.

We all know people who have taken their own lives, or people who have tried. Maybe you're one of those people who tired, or have thought about it. I don't know the statistics--I read a post saying suicide is the most common cause of death for males under 45-years old. I'm not sure if this is worldwide, or in the USA. And, if it's true, it doesn't matter because wherever it's true, it's tragic.

The post he wrote, well...it stopped me cold. I've had friends who have committed suicide and I knew they weren't happy. They'd gone through trials in their lives and some seemed to never recover. Then there's the ones who say the person was always happy--no signs of trouble. But, obviously there were.

In the social media post I read yesterday, the acquaintance explained what happened, and how he went from choosing the day he would end his life, and how things slowly got better. I was shocked reading the words--I had no idea. Since we're not close (we don't see each other much, but I've followed his posts on social media for years...), I had no idea how he was doing other than from what he posted. I kept imagining how shocked I would have been had I opened the computer and read about how he was no longer with us, how he took his life. I would have wondered if I could have done something to alter the unchangeable ending.

I would have come up with zero results, which would make the tragedy that much worse.

We live in a world where pain and hate and fear grow and fester in the hearts of men, women, and children, where these traits are many times celebrated and encouraged. It's taking its deadly toll. I'm so glad this person shared their experience. And I hope I remember it more than just one day a year. May we be more loving, more caring, more brave...may those grow in our hearts instead. 

Michaelbrent Colling's War On Suicide...A Worthy Cause

A friend sent a request to get the word out about his new project. I said I'd help out. My friend is Michaelbrent Collings and I've tried to support many of his projects in the past--mostly they've been blogs about books he's written. Unfortunately, his latest project is more serious. Michaelbrent's tackling suicide prevention. In fact, he's declaring War on Suicide.

You can access his website: HERE. 

I first met Michaelbrent at LTUE Writing Symposium probably five years ago. He and Blake Casselman gave a class on screenwriting. I took their class because a few years earlier I had a screenplay made into a movie, but I hope I never forget the advice I got from Michaelbrent and Blake that day.

Fast forward to now. I've run into Michaelbrent at least a couple times each year since then--each time at a writing convention or Comic Con. I've also had the opportunity to meet and get to know members of his family (his parents are two of the greatest people I know...). During those times I've learned a little bit more about the writer and some of the demons he faces on a daily basis. The fact that he reached out to his friends asking for help is a brave thing to do.

Unfortunately, many don't...hence the problem.

If you know Michaelbrent, you know he's accomplished so much in the relatively short time he's been on the planet. Lawyer, martial arts expert, best-selling author and screenwriter--of course, he'd say those accomplishments pale to being a good father and husband. For someone--anyone--to ask for help of such a personal nature should not only be commended, but supported. Chances are you know someone affected by this, or maybe even you have faced these challenges yourself. If so, check out Michaelbrent's website. When we work together, miracles can happen. Once again, click: HERE to reach his site. Let's help him win the war!