Trigger Warning: Teen Suicide, addiction and loss
Suicide prevention month (which honestly should be all 12 months of the year) is September. In the past few weeks, Emily and I have had others ask for a bracelet that speaks to suicide prevention. It is s topic that is heavy, hard to grasp in one single design, impossible to portray all that needs to be said to someone who is lost.
A family member of mine has a young adult who has struggled with drug addiction, a young man who has finally been able to turn a big corner, but a young man who we feared would not make it out of this on the Earthly side of existence.
Casey is a young man who died by suicide, and we had the great honor to dedicate a bracelet to him to raise money for his middle school Theater program. We have raised $5,000 and counting and had the opportunity to meet his mom and share a special but so difficult moment with her last week.
Others have reached out to us to simply use us as a safe space to tell us of other young adults that have recently died by suicide, or who have struggled in their own ways. It has been on our minds for months. It has brought us to tears more times than we can count. It is sadly something that has become more common, a reality that parents, peers and especially our young people should not have to face. To see our youth thrive and find joy in life and not feel like they have no other way is a dream I have.
I was a lost young adult. I struggled with addiction and mental health. I contemplated suicide more than once, and even tried it with pills on a few occasions. By the grace of the power surrounding me and within me, I was able to put those moments behind me and to grow from them. This subject hits so very close to home in my own personal way.
What do you say to someone who wants to go? You tell them to Stay.
"If you ever think of going, I hope that you will Stay.
The sky needs you here, the ground paves your way.
The whispering grass sways to soften your fight,
the sunshine will always be there with its light.
The one who fulfills me, my love, is you.
Give grace to yourself in all that you do.
Wear this and remember you are needed.
As a parent, as a child, as a friend.
When things feel hard, you are not alone."
-JNA
A portion of proceeds for each bracelet will be donated to Suicide Awareness Voice of Education (SAVE) ongoing. About SAVE: "In August 1989, three Minneapolis couples joined together with a common cause. Each had lost a child to suicide. Together, they created SAVE to educate the public about suicide prevention and to serve as a resource and voice for suicide loss survivors. Now, for 36 years, SAVE has been a leading national organization working to prevent suicide."
Please use 988 if anyone you love, or yourself, is contemplating suicide. We need you here on this earth.
-Jane