This past Saturday was World Suicide Prevention Day. It is sad that we live in a world where we have to prevent people from ending their own life, but unfortunately, it does happen. Most of us probably know someone who has committed or attempted suicide. I have many close friends and relatives who have suffered from suicidal thoughts or attempts, myself included. So as you can imagine, it definitely holds a close place in my heart. I wish that when my friends were considering suicide that I had told them how much they meant to me and how much their existence matters in my life and I wish that when I had been considering it someone would have told me the same thing.

There have been beautiful strides in the fight to end the stigma of mental illness. I have been advocating this for years and it finally feels like people are really starting to listen and realize that there is true pain behind it all. I think that with all of the hatred and sadness in the world it is especially important that we strive for understanding and love, most importantly self-love. We should all be making these strides so that people are more comfortable sharing their stories rather than being ashamed of them. The more that we share the more we can find common ground and help one another in the fight against self-harm of all kinds and suicide.

For anyone reading this, in case nobody has told you lately, I want you to know that your existence matters. You matter. If you are struggling, just know that I am thinking of you and cheering you on from afar. It may not feel like it now, but life really does get better. You were put on this earth for a reason, so please stick around to see it through. Don’t be afraid to tell someone that you are struggling. From personal experience, I know that opening up to one of my best friends and eventually my mom literally saved my life and now I can honestly say that while things certainly aren’t perfect and I still have my struggles, continuing to live was worth it.

To my friends and family, in case I haven’t said it lately, thank you. Thank you for loving me unconditionally despite my sins and any harm that I have caused you. Thank you for encouraging me to love myself. Thank you for fighting for me and always advocating for my chronic mental illness. Thank you for understanding even when you don’t. Thank you for sticking by my side through the good and the bad. Most importantly, thank you for giving me something to live for and making me feel like my existence matters. Always remember that your existence means more to me than you will ever know and that you have literally been my saving grace. To those friends from which I have grown apart due to my struggles, thank you for the impact you had on my life. Please know that I will always love you and that while I wish you had stuck around, I know that you are out there being a rock star and letting someone else know that their existence matters.

So just remember that suicide prevention should not occur just during its national week or day. It needs to be practiced every single day. Suicide is scary, but it does exist and we need to start talking about it. You never know when someone is struggling and more often than not, those of us who truly struggle are the best at hiding it. So today and every day make sure that you let the people in your life know that they are loved and that their existence matters because you never know how much they might need to hear it. More than anything please always remember that you are loved and that your existence matters.