What is Project Semicolon Doing in Idaho?

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month and a time to talk. Talk about how you aren't alone. Talk about mental health. Talk about how this isn't the end of your story. It's happening right here in Idaho. 

According to the CDC, each year more than 41,000 people die by suicide. It's the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among people 10-24 years old and the numbers are increasing.

We have to do something about it. Suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Mental health is invisible until something is triggered making it visible in some way or another.

Real Talk - Personal Talk.

Mental health and suicide prevention is such a personal thing for me. It's a topic and a challenging reminder that I face every single day in life. It's me, it's my family and it's the people I love. The thing that is the hardest isn't the personal struggle, it's the lack of understanding from those who don't go through the struggle. It's easy to talk about it, it's easy to get on board and it's easy to say you'll be there. Then, when something happens when life becomes "too stressful" or something is triggered, people scatter.

That has to stop.

Mental health leading to attempts of suicide is so very real. It's what happens.

Instead of pretending like we know what people need in order to eliminate thoughts of suicide, how about we ask questions? What if we educated ourselves? What if we went out of our way to ask someone "how are you doing today?" and actually meant it?

You have a story to tell and that story isn't over. That's what the Semicolon Project is all about. Your story continuing.

Are you ready to speak out about your story? Are you able to stand up (at whatever pace you choose) and say that you actually had more of your story to tell and suicide wasn't the answer.

sem·i·co·lon

The Project Semicolon book will be out September 5th as we take this month by storm.

On Wednesday, September 13th, the 3rd Annual Semicolon Tattoo Project is being hosted by Resurrected Tattoo benefiting the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. Get a semicolon tattoo and share with people that your story wasn't over and neither is theirs.

If you're having thoughts of suicide, don't let yourself slip into darkness, call someone. You can remain anonymous but don't be alone. You're not alone.

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: 208-398-4357 / 208-398- [HELP]

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255