Recently, someone I knew committed suicide. Most everyone knows someone who has, but I didn’t. Recently, in a class a professor asked the question of knowing anyone who has and my hand didn’t rise. I didn’t understand what it was like to be a part of this group. But now I do and it’s changed my life.

There is a picture taped on the mirror in my bathroom at home that states, in white cursive letters, “You are loved. You are unique. You are beautiful. You are needed. You are worthy. You are made for so much more. You are beautifully made.” These words are something I see first thing in the morning and last at night. They seem so trivial and something that I should know. They seem like something everyone should know right? I do know these things, but it’s nice to have this reminder everyday. I know all of these things are true about myself. But other people need the reminder too. Others go through things I may not be able to fathom. Mental illness is real. Anxiety and Depression are real. The consequences of these illnesses are real. They are not just something you hear about in the media.

So to anyone who needs the reminder: you matter. The world needs you in it. You might have heard this so many times and it might not sit well anymore, but it’s the truth. You matter. You matter way more than you can even fathom. The world needs you and definitely wants you in it. As long as your heart is beating in your chest, you have a purpose. You are needed. You matter to this world even if you don’t think you do. Please believe me when I say you are wrong if you think you don’t matter.

There are so many great organizations who are working to remind people that they matter and that their life is important. A photographer I follow on Instagram here started a project called The Suicide Sign. The sign reads, “Suicide does not eliminate the chances of life getting worse. Suicide eliminates the possibility of it ever getting better.” The creator, Carlos, gets musicians, and others to hold the sign and takes a picture of them with it. Some share stories related to suicide, others just simply hold the sign for a picture. Shawn Mendes, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Waka Flocka Flame, and so many others have posed for a picture with the sign. While it may seem trivial, they are literally standing behind the idea that everyone deserves the chance to see their life get better. You deserve a chance to see your life get better and you deserve all the good that you won’t ever see coming for you.

You deserve the chance to watch your life get better than you could have ever imagined.

You matter. The world needs you.