20 Reasons We Should Speak Up About Suicide

During National Suicide Prevention Month, Active Minds asked its community to share why they speak about suicide using the hashtag #ReasonsISpeak.

Just because September’s over doesn’t meant the conversation has to stop.

To keep it going, we asked the Active Minds’ community to tell us why they speak up about suicide, and compiled some of the great messages shared throughout the month.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Let’s talk about:

1. “It felt like I was stuck in a very dark, endless cave. I just couldn’t see a way out. But good mates brought me back, and I have not thought like that for well over 12 months.” — Taya N.

2. “I’ve needed the support of friends to help remind me to keep fighting, and I hope I can be that person to others by speaking out.” — Robyn S.

3. “Because one day, someone might actually listen, rather than dismissing it as ‘negativity’ and ‘attention seeking.’” — Ash F.

4. “To break the stigma of mental health.” — Simone M.

5. “I speak because my dad is no longer is able. He died by suicide last November. He battled depression with a warrior’s heart for over 49 years. I tell his story in the hopes that it will spark a dialogue in other people’s homes, workplaces and society in general. My dad used to say he found the shame of his depression as crippling as the disease itself. No one should ever believe that mental illness is anything other then a medical condition… I have no shame of my father or his battles. My dad was a funny, brilliant man. He had a life well lived, was loved deeply and is missed every day. I am proud of who he was and gladly share our story whenever possible.” — Heather T.

6. “I’ve have had depression since I was a young woman. I felt so different, but I put on a smile. It was not until I was in my 30s that I was told this is depression. When I speak about it, I hope just one young person will be helped.” — Diane S.

7. “Because it’s my reality.” — Marianne R.

#ReasonsISpeak because no one should feel that taking their own life is the best option. I miss you, Cody. pic.twitter.com/H2jTmTOE7J

— Caitlin (@miss_caitb) September 28, 2015

8.

#ReasonsISpeak because i want nobody else to feel the way I did for any 1 of the 25 times I tried to die. Speaking clears minds.

— Danny Gregory (@TheDannyGregory) September 19, 2016

9.

1100 college students due by suicide every year.
Don’t ignore the problem.#reasonsIspeak #activeminds pic.twitter.com/rAlYGxJG34

— Pardis (@missparadiseg) September 14, 2016

10.

Because our mental health is as important as physical health. #ReasonsISpeak

— ????Jess Ryan Scott???? (@JeSsiiK) September 29, 2016

11.

#reasonsIspeak because I’m not the only ONE. #activemindsmsu @Active_MindsMSU pic.twitter.com/Q16x00Q398

— Jessica Lee (@msu_panda) September 23, 2015

12.

#Reasonsispeak So that I am not lost as so many have before me over something that I can not control. So that we ALL can be saved.

— Shani Rivalis (@SRivalis) October 4, 2016

13. 

#ReasonsISpeak Because somebody once did the same for me

— Heather Smith (@Hsmith4496) September 30, 2016

14.

#ReasonsISpeak because I lost 1 friend to suicide and that’s 1 too many for me. I love all my friends and I’m always here for you #RIPsamPpic.twitter.com/cbtHQaq1Ge

— Squish (@DillonHammond) September 28, 2016

15.

Love this #ReasonsISpeak post from @CU_ActiveMinds “I never want my friends to feel this is the only option” pic.twitter.com/VqVgyev8XR

— Alison Malmon (@AlisonMalmon) September 24, 2015

16.

17.

Why do you speak? #ReasonsISpeak #SuicidePrevention #Depression pic.twitter.com/Czly24BcSh

— Ketamine Saved Me (@KetamineSavedMe) September 13, 2016

18.

#reasonsispeak because I’ve attempted its nothing to be ashamed of and neither is asking for help. You’re irreplaceable

— Alexis Davies (@ALEXIS97LeAnne) September 16, 2016

19.

I speak out because too many cannot. I don’t want anyone to die because I was silent. #ReasonsISpeak

— Shawn Henfling (@ShawnHenfling) September 13, 2016

20.

Huge thanks to everyone who shared a #ReasonsISpeak post for #Suicide Prevention Month http://t.co/hsBeQutTi1pic.twitter.com/FD2lf0ewSd

— Active Minds, Inc. (@Active_Minds) October 5, 2015

 

Want to join the conversation? Use #ReasonsISpeak to tell us why you speak up about suicide on social media or in the comments below.