Suicide Awareness Month Message

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and I want to take a moment to reach out to our listeners and followers of Even One Less and remind you of the importance of staying connected with your family and the people you love.

As many of you know, both of my sons died by suicide. In both situations, there were differences in how they reached out. Those experiences have taught me how important it is to stay connected, pay attention, and be aware of what is happening in the lives of the people around us.

I also want to remind you to look for opportunities to reach out to others.

Sometimes, someone may contact you simply because they know you have been connected with Even One Less, one of our families, or one of our board members. They may say, “My cousin is talking about suicide,” or “My friend knows someone who is threatening suicide. What should we do?”

Please take those words seriously.

Any threat of suicide, any indication of suicide, or any conversation about suicide should be taken seriously. Regardless of what you think their intentions may be, they are communicating that they are struggling.

Listen. Stay connected. Don't dismiss what they're saying. And don't try to carry that responsibility by yourself.

You cannot be responsible for another person's decisions. But you can be the person who takes that first step—who makes the call, who tells someone who can help, and who helps connect that person with the resources they need.

There are people and organizations equipped to step in during a crisis. Reaching out for help could be the step that gives someone another opportunity to choose life.

So this September, my message is simple:

Stay connected. Pay attention. Take it seriously. Reach out.

Because sometimes, being there at the rights moment can make all the difference.

Even One Less. One life matters.