This past weekend, we attended a wedding reception for one of our relatives. My wife, sister-in-law, and I were sitting at a picnic table, soaking up the warmth of the sun. A woman joined us, and we soon learned that she was the bride’s aunt. We chatted about many things, the kind of small talk that often occurs at gatherings like this.
After a while, my wife and sister-in-law walked over to the taco bar, leaving me and the woman alone. She then began speaking about something deeper—mental health. My wife and I often joke that we must have “social worker” written on our foreheads. People seem to find us safe to share their struggles with, even when we’ve just met.
With tears just beneath her words, the woman told me her daughter had died by suicide two years ago. I could feel the weight of her grief and the courage it took for her to share such a painful truth with a stranger.
Every September, we pause for Suicide Prevention Month. It is a time to remember, to raise awareness, to bring hope, and to spark action around one of the most urgent mental health struggles of our time. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation—asking someone how they’re really doing, and then truly listening. That simple act can save a life.
Studies show that people who are thinking about suicide often feel relief when someone asks about their feelings with genuine care. No one has to face this struggle alone. Help is real. Healing is possible. And hope can begin with something as small as a text that says, “Hey, you good?”
If you or someone you love is struggling, please know help is here. Call or text 988 anytime, day or night, to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
To learn more about how to support someone in a mental health crisis, visit:
www.nami.org/suicidepreventionmonth. The information for this blog comes from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
One conversation, one moment of listening, can open the door to life and healing.
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: ljw@superhumanbeing.net/