'

Suicide is real. It is a painful reality that affects families, communities, and people from every walk of life.

During September, National Suicide Prevention Month gives us an opportunity to have the conversations we sometimes avoid—and to remind people that they do not have to suffer in silence.

According to the CDC, the U.S. suicide rate increased approximately 36% between 2000 and 2022. In 2024, suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths in the United States.

But sometimes you don't truly understand the weight of those numbers until suicide touches someone close to you.

From the outside looking in, you may see a beautiful young person with so much life ahead of them. You may see their smile, their laughter, their personality, their accomplishments, and all the things that make them special. But the truth is, we don't always know what someone is carrying on the inside.

Sometimes the battle is emotional. Sometimes it is mental. Sometimes it is spiritual. And sometimes people carry struggles they never share with anyone.

When tragedy happens, those left behind are often filled with questions: Why? How could this happen? Were there signs we missed? What could we have done differently?

Those questions can be heartbreaking because there may never be one simple answer.

Know the Warning Signs

Pay attention when someone:

• Talks about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.


• Says they feel like a burden to others.


• Begins withdrawing from family and friends.


• Experiences extreme or unusual mood changes.


• Shows increased anxiety, anger, or emotional distress.


• Talks about feeling trapped or experiencing unbearable emotional pain.


• Has major changes in sleeping or substance use.


• Shows other serious changes in behavior that cause concern.

One of the most important things we can do is create an open and safe space for communication. Listen without judgment. Check on the people you love. Show compassion and concern. Encourage them to speak with someone they trust and to seek professional help when needed.

For the families left grieving, one of the hardest questions can be, “What could I have done?”

You may have loved them, prayed for them, listened to them, encouraged them, and surrounded them with family and support. Still, we cannot always see the depth of another person's internal struggle.

Grief can bring sadness, confusion, anger, unanswered questions, and even guilt. But it can also remind us of the importance of compassion. Families experiencing this kind of loss need love, patience, prayer, understanding, and a community willing to stand beside them without judgment.

For every family carrying this pain, may you find strength in one another. May the beautiful memories, laughter, love, and joy your loved one brought into this world remain in your hearts.

Their life mattered. Their love mattered. Their memory matters.

And to anyone who may be struggling: please tell someone you trust and allow someone to stand beside you. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

September is Suicide Prevention Month—but checking on one another, listening to one another, and loving one another should never be limited to one month.