When I saw that September was National Suicide month, a month devoted to inform and engage the general public about suicide prevention, I finally got the courage to do a podcast about this subject. 

Suicide is a national health crisis and a serious medical condition like cancer or heart disease, and there should be no stigma attached to suicidal thoughts.

Anyone could be struggling and what I hope to accomplish in this podcast is how to recognize the signs and what you can do to help. 

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts yourself, there are immediate confidential options to help you cope and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just call 1-800-273-8255 in the United States. Or text HOME to 741741. 

You can also seek out a mental health professional at Mental Health America. 

There are also over 30 countries known to have national suicide prevention services and strategies. 

Thanks for joining me today. Suicide is a difficult conversation to initiate, but with better education and understanding, we can all help each other.