“I tried to smile and hide my darkness. I remember waking up on my 17th birthday wanting to end my life.”
In many cases, suicide prevention is a painful, long-term process. A young man talks about his struggle with depression and the persistent feelings of pain and emptiness that seemed overwhelming. He chose to stay alive for his family and his friends. He chose to stay alive and experience the small and simple things that he loves. He chose to stay alive because he finally realized that he doesn’t have to stay alone. His message to others fighting the same battle: “You can choose to stay too.”