No, I am not talking about sh*t. I am talking about suicide.

Suicide is a topic that a lot of people know nothing about, nor feel completely comfortable talking about openly. People will make quick judgments or comments and say suicide is for the weak of mind, the cowardly. Others might say it is the toughest decision of one’s life. There are discussions all the time about cyber, physical and mental bullying within the teenage population, but what happens when that teenager grows up to become an adult? Do the feelings of ridicule or sadness ever go away?

According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 41,149 suicides were reported in America in 2013. The highest suicide rates are between 45-64-year-olds, and half of these deaths occur by firearms. Suicide rates are four times higher in men than women, and there are more White and Native Americans that kill themselves than African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders combined.

Now that you know the facts, lets start doing something about this. Life is one of the most precious gifts we are given, but not everyone feels this way. I cannot comprehend why someone would go through with ending their life, so instead of judging them, let’s try to understand one another. This is the first step to being there for someone. People who feel the need to take their own lives are in a bad state and do not always have a mental illness that is pushing them to do this. They feel like there is no other way, and that they are the only ones who feel like this.

There is a saying that goes, “It is always darkest before the dawn.” Be that light for someone who you know may be feeling this way. That five minute phone call you think you don’t have time for may be the last phone call you make. Support can be defined as many things, but you should start out by listening to what your friend, family member, or acquaintance has to say. Suicide is one of the top 10 biggest causes of death in the U.S., but with one another helping each other, it is preventable.

You all wake up in the morning with choices to make. You can decide to have a great day or an awful day, to play the victim or take responsibility for your actions. Everyone in this world has a story. A story filled with plot twists, climaxes, and gloomy scenes so crazy that it has turned them into the person they are today. Some choose to come out better on the other end, enduring the pain to reach the mountaintop, while others need a bit more guidance and help to reach the peak. Life is a constant battle, but remember that you don’t have to be alone during the fight if you extend yourself out to someone else.

"Why?" "What could I have done?" and "Who can I blame?" are just a few questions that pop into my mind when I think about this tragic way to die. There are so many questions I want to ask people who feel like there was no more hope for them, but most importantly, I wish I could bring one of them back.

Dedicated to the one and only Michael Angelo Barone, one of the most bada** and generous people that I had the privilege of calling my uncle.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK

(1-800-273-8255)