Suicide Prevention

I've struggled with whether to write this post about suicide prevention. If you've been around long, I'm sure you've noticed I don't write many personal things. I'm a private person. The few posts I have written have been fun little stories, nothing serious at all. But I feel this needs to be shared, just in case it helps anyone. My husband and I lost a very dear friend on May 3, 2015 when he took his own life. I don't feel that his story is mine to share, so I'll only say that he was an Iraq War veteran who had been through more personal tragedy in his lifetime than anyone should have to experience in a full 80+ span of years. All of us who knew him well knew that he needed help and begged him to go somewhere or talk to someone or just--anything. But he never would and here we are. He was one of the most deeply kind, generous, and just mischievous people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and his absence is a loss not only to my husband and me and his other friends but to the world. Kindness feels like it's in short supply some days. So I'm writing this to ask that if you need help, please seek it out. There's no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs assistance getting through something in their lives. If you know someone who needs help, please don't give up on them. Here are a few resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline American Foundation for Suicide Prevention National Alliance on Mental Illness Some employers participate in the confidential Employee Assistance Network. See if your employer offers anything similar. Veterans can get help at Wounded Warrior Project, or find a facility of the Veteran's Health…