suicide prevention month

September is suicide prevention month and while society is adjusting to the mental health epidemic in our country, there is still a big stigma about suicide. Suicide is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in America and the second leading cause for those between the ages of 10-34. The Happiness Project is an organization dedicated to helping those struggling with mental illness. They hope to create more awareness around mental health because the founder, Jake, lost one of his high school classmates to suicide. After this happened, Jake wanted to make sure that his classmate, Nick, is remembered. Their smiley face logo is named after his amazing soul and captivating energy.

I hope that none of you have had to experience any personal event related to suicide, but unfortunately, it is common. Spreading awareness and trying to educate yourself on mental illnesses such as bipolar, anxiety, and depression can help you look for signs, support friends/family, and understand how these illnesses impact someone's life.

In honor of suicide prevention month I have created a list of reasons to stay alive:

1. Sunrises/sunsets

2. Full moons

3. Seeing a flower next to the sidewalk

4. Having hope for a happy day

5. Bagel sandwiches

6. Watching yourself pursue your dreams

7. Experiencing and learning from grief

8. Turning strangers into friends

9. Exploring the world

10. Finding a new song to hyper-fixate on

11. Crying

12. When a professor cancels a class

13. Finding a new favorite color

14. Drawing smiley faces:)

15. Binge watching a show

16. Telling people you love them

17. Stargazing

18. Hammocking

19. Admiring nature and our beautiful planet

20. Pets

21. Cliff jumping at a lake

22. Dancing in the kitchen/rain

23. Falling asleep to a thunderstorm

24. Feeling on top of the world

25. Frank’s hot sauce

26. Black coffee

27. Feeling the hot sun on your skin

28. Dyeing your hair

29. Playing music while getting ready

30. Working towards knowing your value as a human and giving yourself the love you deserve

k...now rage