Suicide Prevention in Idaho and How You Can Take Action

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and next week is a full week of events and awareness campaigns to bring us all together to talk. You can take action and here's how we can do it together. Let's stand side-by-side.

I'm receiving messages from you and it's changing my life. Your openness and honesty about survival, your mental health and the ups and downs you go through on a daily basis is so very real and raw. I love that you're talking and I'm always open to hearing from you no matter how you choose to reach out. I want to know you. I want to talk with you. I want to learn what's going on in your head so we can take life on one step at a time. One day at a time. Sometimes it's one millisecond at a time and making it through that millisecond takes all the effort an energy we have. That's an accomplishment. Recognize that.

I want to share some stories with you about why this is so personal to me but I want to make sure I get the okay from a family member and a very close person in my life in order to share something so personal and so emotional. Please know that when I say that a mental health and suicide prevention is my platform, it's for several reasons that have shaped me and scared me and ripped emotion from my soul giving me zero control of my own body.

If you want to talk and want to keep it personal, message me directly. Here's where I am:

• Tawsha Box on Facebook
• Tawsha Box on Instagram
• Tawsha Box on Twitter

I don't know what provoked the incredible organizers of this walk to contact me (I'd like to think it's because of how outspoken I am about mental health and suicide prevention) but I'm honored to say that I am hosting the Treasure Valley Out of the Darkness Walk, along with my co-host Chris Cruise. My family and friends will be there and I would hope that you could join us, too. Whether you know it or not, you are affected by suicide. I can say that with 100% confidence. If you don't know how, it's time we talked about it.

The biggest honor of this whole walk came when I was asked to host the bead ceremony. I had no idea how emotional it would make me. I feel for you. I feel for your loved ones. I hear your stories. I have my own stories. This is what is ahead of us:

Take action. It's okay if you don't know anyone - you know me. Consider us friends. Consider us connected on a level that others (maybe even your closest friends) don't understand you. It's okay. We can get them there if they're willing to listen.

You are supposed to be here. You have greater things to accomplish or you wouldn't have been specifically chosen to live this life and be part of our world. You matter.

Be part of the walk. Come find me. Hold my hand. Stand next to me. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I'm want to be here for you.

One step. All you need to take is one step. I'll help you.

Treasure Valley Out of the Darkness Walk

Benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Saturday, September 30th

10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park

1900 N. Records Ave. Meridian (Behind the Village at Meridian)

RSVP HERE and join or form a team HERE. Again, do only what you're comfortable with.