About a year ago, I took a huge leap and did a challenge for one hundred days on Facebook with one of my friends from college. She started a challenge that was 100 days and it was called "100 Reasons Why We Choose To Stay." The reason for the challenge was to spread awareness about suicide.
Yes, I realize that this isn’t a happy topic to talk, but it is one of those topics that is tabooed from our vocabulary and needs to come “out of the closet." One that should not just be talked about when it's too late; one that needs to be talked about beforehand.
By the end of the challenge, I found out that of all the people that started the challenge, I was the only one that stuck with it. I felt really inspired after she told me that.
During the challenge, I found out some facts that made me sick to my stomach. However, it was good timing to speak out about the topic because, during the challenge, Chester Bennington from Linkin Park died of suicide.
Who likes Facebook? We can probably all admit that we are a little addicted to Facebook. Well, what would happen if I told you that by the time you were done scrolling through your Facebook newsfeed, that someone just died from suicide? That’s saying every sixteen minutes someone dies of suicide.
Ask yourself this, what can you do in sixteen minutes?
Since I am born and raised in North Dakota, this one is for the North Dakotans. In North Dakota, suicide is the ninth leading cause of death. I don’t know about you, but it is not a topic that should be in the top ten rankings.
I won’t rant too much about the topic, I just wanted to share a few facts about how serious this topic is in hopes that it opens people eyes to what is happening around them. We need to spread awareness, help others that are being affected, and be there for the ones that don’t want to live anymore.
Remember that everyone has a story and is unique in their own way. You can’t be cloned. Embrace your story and the meaning of it.
I found this video while doing this 100-day challenge and it was so inspiring. I encourage you all to check it out.