Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.

September is National Suicide Awareness Month. We all know someone affected. We all know someone that has attempted suicide whether we are aware of it or not. We all know someone with a hole in their heart.

I have compiled a list of 9 slam poetry videos that tell stories of poets or their loved ones. They are speaking. They are writing. They are sharing. That's what we all can do.

Destroy the stigma. Talk about it. Make yourself heard.

The National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Trigger Warning: Poems 2, 4, 8, and 9 include stories of persons that succeeded in their suicide attempts.

1. Akeemjamal Rollins: "Suicide Note"

2. Doc Luben "14 Lines from Love Letters or Suicide Notes"

3. Nora Cooper: "I Won't Write Your Obituary"

4. Francis Chuckie Raven: "If Suicide Was a High School"

5. Ashley Wylde: "Highlights of a Suicide Note"

6. Harvard Westlake: "For Black Poets Who Think of Suicide" and "Trumpets"

7. Kali: "Suicide Note"

8. Kevin Kantor and Sienna Burnett: "Phases"

9. Alex Montinola: "Dear Mr. Suicide"