Do What You Were Made For.

This year, our rallying cry for our World Suicide Prevention Day campaign was seemingly a simple one, just seven words and two requests:

“Stay. Find what you were made for.”

But we know things that appear simple are often anything but. We know that while it’s easy to say “stay,” it can also feel impossible to do so. We know this. We would never suggest that this is easy. We’re just here to say it’s worth it.

It’s one thing to ask you to stay, to push through your hardest days and darkest nights. We wanted to give you a second call to action. We wanted to give you a reason to get up in the morning if you were still looking for one: “Find what you were made for.”

We heard from so many of you over the past few weeks. You were made for adventure, for so much more than what you thought you were when you were suicidal, and for living a story of kindness in the midst of the chaos and darkness.

We also heard from those of you who didn’t know yet. And that’s OK. You don’t have to have all of the answers right now. If all you can do is stay, then stay.

Our campaign may be over, but the work is not. We’re still going to ask you to stay. We’re still going to ask you to find what you were made for. We’re always going to be here, pointing you to the help you might need and showing you the ways you can help others.

If you’d like to help us change the statistics, please join us.

We can’t do this without you.

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Get involved with TWLOHA.

There are a variety of ways you can support suicide prevention efforts through TWLOHA. Visit our Get Involved page to learn more. You can also check out our Events page to see if we’ll be in your area. We would love to meet you out on the road! And if you’re interested in joining us in Florida for a term as an intern, go to our Intern Program page for details on how to apply.

Send the world a love letter.

The world needs more love letters, so we want you to write some! You can even use the customized stationery we created just for the cause. Spread hope through your words and encourage yourself and others to stay.

Volunteer for Crisis Text Line.

If you want to put your time and energy behind a powerful and tangible suicide prevention effort, consider joining our friends at Crisis Text Line, which offers free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. Become a volunteer here.

Learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s programs.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention aims to bring people together to understand and prevent suicide and to help heal the pain it causes. Their website offers different ways to cope with suicide, including a city-specific support group finder, and a way to contact their Survivor Outreach Program. In addition, this November they will be hosting events all over the world for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, which recognizes those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Find free resources at SAMHSA.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has several completely free resources available to the public. Their Suicide Prevention Lifeline wallet cards and other brochures are available to order in bulk at no cost to you. These are great to have at high schools, college campuses, conferences, and any public place where people gather.

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Along with the list above, there are even more ways to get involved in mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Reach out in your local community. Encourage others to be open and honest when it comes to talking about their struggles. Be accepting, supportive, and compassionate.

One of the most common things we hear from people who message us is how afraid they are to tell someone about their depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, or self-injury. They live in fear that they will be rejected, that it could ruin their relationships, and that they may never see change.

We ask that you be a safe place for someone to come to with their story—and that you be proud to share your own.