As someone who battled suicidal thoughts, the only thing that compelled me to stay on the Earth at times was the thought of hurting my family by leaving. In those days, that thought (and the love behind it) saved my life. Since then, my faith, awareness and mindfulness grew exponentially; I could catch the suicidal thoughts as thoughts before I chased them down the rabbit hole and began looking at actions to end my life.

I wasn’t always gifted with the faith and awareness I have now; despite the profound love for my family, I may have taken my own life. Now that I am on the other side of those circumstances, I am sharing a spiritual and practical perspective on suicide in hopes of preventing precious lives from being lost.

If you know anyone who is suffering in the slightest and may need to hear that their life matters, that they matter and that suicide isn’t the solution to their problems, please send them this video. It could be the difference between a life saved and a life lost.

If you are suffering, I encourage you to reach out to someone right now. Call the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.