We've all heard the expression, "Men don't cry," or, "Act like a man." Society has shaped men to be tough and hardened. As a result, men, particularly middle-aged men, are way less likely to express how they feel, or what's bothering them. What happens, then, when your dad, neighbor or friend are in severe emotional pain and distress?

The recent death of former "Soundgarden," and, "Audioslave," front-man, Chris Cornell (52), has brought this discussion back to the forefront of the media. Cornell's death was ruled a suicide, as the singer hung himself in his Detroit hotel room last Wednesday. However, it's not just artists and actors, like the late-great Robin Williams we lost a couple years back, that are taking their own lives. In fact, NBC News reported that "121 Americans die by suicide each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control--and 93 of them are men." Even though suicide is typically associated with teenagers, it is an epidemic that affects everyone. Surprisingly enough, as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration noted, "while youths have the highest rates of suicide attempts, middle-aged adults have the highest number of deaths by suicide worldwide."

When taking into account the societal expectations of men, this statement makes sense. Traditionally, men are the providers of the household. Getting laid off from work or taking a substantial pay cut or loss of benefits can make a man feel insignificant, as if they are letting their family down. This added pressure can cause men to think irrationally and push them to their limits. Even when finances aren't an issue, men in the prime of their careers, like Chris Cornell and Robin Williams, feel that their work has peaked. They become hopeless and uninspired, despite the massive amount of fans that idolize them.

Since getting most middle-aged men to open up is a herculean task in and of itself, detecting a man contemplating suicide can be rather difficult. By spotting the warning signs of suicide, such as a loved one talking about hopelessness, increasing alcohol and drug use, and displaying extreme mood swings (see here for a full list of warning signs), we can work towards preventing suicide. The main solution, after identifying the warning signs, is probably the most arduous thing to do: you need to open up the dialogue with the person you are concerned about. Listen to them without judgment, make sure the person is in a safe place, and remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please dial the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. We've lost enough brilliant minds to suicide. It's time to stop suicide in its tracks.