Start the clock.

12 minutes. Every 12 minutes there is a death by suicide in America.

In Sept. of 2010, nine LGBTQ teens committed suicide. They were dubbed the September Suicides. And the worst part is that you forgot.

It’s not your fault. Who would remember? We killed Osama Bin Laden in May of the next year after all.

The real fault lies in the hands of our media providers. The story faded off during the one moment when it needed the most attention. Wall to wall, day and night. And it just never happened like that, they moved on when they got what they wanted out of it (ratings). I remember people calling it a “suicide epidemic,” the characters on TV were screaming for change. But in the end the only change that came was us changing the channel because the story ran its course.

I want to pick up where they left off and the first thing I’m going to do is present the facts.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for Americans of any age and the second leading cause of death for Americans age 15 - 24.

Depression affects 20 - 25 percent of Americans age 18 and up in any given year.

Over 38,000 Americans die every year by suicide. The epidemic is still going on out there. This story still needs to be told.

Let’s try and put this into perspective: 1,114 people were killed by police in 2014 and riots broke out across the country. It was everywhere on TV. Meanwhile, in the same year, 42,773 people committed suicide. Where were the riots for the 42,773 people who committed suicide? Where was the start to finish media coverage?

You already know all the obvious answers dealing with race and class and power. The rest of it comes from the stigmas that surround depression and people who attempt suicide. So, let’s clear that up now.

First off, do not interchange “depressed” and “sad.” They are not the same thing. If you’ve had a bad day because you’re car got ticketed and your ham sandwich fell on the ground, do not tell people that you’re depressed. It lessens the plight of someone who is actually depressed, someone who couldn’t even find the strength to get out of bed and think about facing the day.

Also, it is not just a phase. If someone is talking with you about their depression, it’s happening all the time. Do not fail to take them seriously. Do not suggest that they eat better and “choose to be happy.” They are not in control. Depression is the result of a chemical imbalance of dopamine in the brain. Any suggestion otherwise is just plain wrong.

People who are self-harming are not selfish or weak nor are they crying out for attention. It's just impossible to focus on anything else when there's blood coming out of you. That's the whole point. And if they are using self-harm to cry out for attention, GIVE IT TO THEM. Offer them your help.

Lastly, be there. If your friend is having trouble with depression, be there. Don’t give advice if they don’t ask for it, just be there. If they call at 2 a.m. and want to hang out, you show up. If they want to go bowling, you go bowling. If they are open about their battle with depression, this is a huge step for them. They need a friend and the best thing you can do for them is to be there when they ask.

All this is well and good, but what can we really do? What’s next?

The first step in making positive changes is to tear down the wall around talking about depression and suicide. It is a complicated, many-faced issue and, frankly, it makes most people uncomfortable. We must overcome that. Tens of thousands of lives every year depend on it. We must speak openly about it because we have all been victims of depression in one way or another. It has touched all of us.

We can’t ignore it like it doesn’t happen every day. That is how this important issue was forgotten in the first place. That’s the reason why we all ignored this killer amongst us. It took me one hour and 40 minutes to reach this point in the article. That’s eight people that have committed suicide just while I’ve been writing this.

If you see someone posting worrying messages on social media or becoming unnaturally distant, speak up. If you notice unnatural behavior, speak up. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right, act. Don't wait.

Suicide is preventable and depression is treatable.

Once we open up a dialogue, anything is possible. Change will come. We can stop this before more lives are lost.

You can go here to do something. Suicide statistics and information comes from SAVE.

If you are feeling depressed, if you are having suicidal thoughts, this message is for you:

Put your hand on your heart. Feel that? That pumping in your chest? You're still kicking.

I know it isn’t easy. I’ve been there myself. And I want you to know that you are the first and last you that is ever going to exist on this Earth. To lose your life to that demon you feel in your bones would be a tragedy beyond reckoning.

You are not alone. I know that people say that all the time and, honestly, it's kind of annoying. But you really aren't alone. I promise. Find the person that’s by your side and talk to them. Open up a dialogue. It’s one of the best possible things that you can do for yourself.

I was trying to think of all the reasons that you shouldn't quit on yourself, but I couldn’t. There are far too many reasons for you to stay here on this Earth. If you don’t, who’ll be the next basketball great? Who will cure an incurable disease? Who will teach the youth of tomorrow? The world is your oyster. But you have to fight for it.

So, stay. Stay here with me, with all of us. We will be there. Any time, day or night.

And if you feel like getting help, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1 (800) 273-8255.

In the immortal words of Jimmy V: “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”