Shattering the Silence Around Suicide

As a Proud Recovering Addict and Mental health champion, I’ve seen firsthand the devastation addiction and mental illness can cause to the individual, families and communities, but more importantly, I’ve seen the power of hope and humor to bring light to the darkest moments.

I’ll never forget a lady I met in rehab who shared that she’d attempted suicide multiple times. Without thinking, I jokingly told her she wasn’t very good at it. She burst out laughing—a response she said she’d never received before. That humor broke the ice, allowing us to connect more deeply, and in that moment, I realized the healing power of simply being present and listening without judgment.

I’ve met others, like a mother in another support group who attempted suicide multiple times. Yet she spoke with such grace, raising her children and influencing others through her resilience. Her story left me in awe, teaching me that survival often looks different from person to person—but each story matters.

Two years ago, I walked 7 kilometers to a school to speak about mental health and addiction because I couldn’t afford transport. After my talk, a teacher approached me and said, “I was planning to take my life tomorrow, but what you said changed my mind.” That was the first life I felt I saved from suicide. Now, he’s not just surviving but thriving, counseling others and an inspiration.

I’ve lost two friends to suicide in the past two years. They were in the trenches, grappling with their addictions and mental health. We must not judge those who struggle, but rather create spaces where they feel safe to share. These two friends were trying to change. May they and all others who aren’t with us, continue to REST IN PEACE.

A UFC fighter recently used his platform to raise awareness after losing a friend to suicide. His raw emotion reminded me that no matter the stage, the struggle is real—and the stigma persists. Yet how do we change things if we don’t break the veil of silence?

Let’s speak up. Let’s listen. Let’s create spaces where we can be honest about our struggles.

Two powerful books that explore these challenges are ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Haig and ‘Lost Connections’ by one of my heroes Johann Hari. Additionally, TED talks like ‘There’s No Shame in Taking Care of Your Mental Health’ by Sangu Delle and ‘How to Talk About Suicide’ by JD Schramm offer valuable insights on addressing mental health and suicide with compassion and urgency.

When talking to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, never say, ‘You’re being selfish’ or ‘It’s not that bad,’ or ‘you’re going to hell,’ Instead, offer empathy, validate their pain, and remind them they aren’t alone.

We are all part of this fight. The silence around suicide has held us in a chokehold for too long. Let’s break free.