Light has been shed on people living with mental illness, which is great, but we as people can do so much more. The reason I speak is because the stigma of, "You're just being lazy," or, "It's all in your head," NEEDS TO STOP.

Suicide is a topic that has been slowly coming to light on campuses across America. There is the usual "time of mourning" and then unfortunately the topic is forgotten, until another person loses the battle they fought so hard against the deadly disease.

It's a topic that makes others uncomfortable, but through the amount of people telling their story, the stigma is slowly weakening. Most people don't know the countless number of suicide survivors, the people debating every day if their life is worth it. According to Save.org, every two hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 loses their life to suicide.

Movies, media, and the news often portray those suffering from mental illnesses as crazy, dangerous, unimportant, or wastes of space, which are all lies.

Here's what a person with a mental illness looks like:

As a suicide survivor, in recovery I wish I would've known how many felt like I felt. Now at 20 years old I spent 10 plus years thinking it was "normal" to self-harm, restrict, and have obsessive thoughts and suicidal ideation. I spent those years, contemplating suicide, and coping in the worst ways possible. I thought that I was just "broken" and that was the way my life was going to be. My diagnoses gave clarity that I wasn't a "defective model." I'm still recovering but I've realized that's a lifelong process.

Mizzou is shedding more light on this epidemic. Mizzou Suicide Prevention Coalition MSPC is having an event, you can join their second annual World Suicide Prevention Day Memorial Event. For a minimum $2 donation, you can purchase a balloon to release in memory of loved ones lost to suicide, and to honor those who continue to struggle with mental illness. All proceeds will go to "WAKE UP: A Documentary Film."

All those still fighting, keep fighting, because your life is worth it. Asking for help shows strength. Check out Active Minds Mizzou and if anyone is interested in being supported or supporting others, feel free to check out Chronically Awesome Mizzou.