I was in an Intensive Outpatient Therapy program (IOP) after my third suicide attempt in the spring of 2018 when a fellow patient mentioned AFSP. A few months later, I was preparing for my newborn son’s arrival home from the hospital when I saw Dr. Christine Moutier on CBS This Morning. It had been such a complicated time for me, filled with both joy and pain. Her words meant a lot to me. She explained that suicide should be thought of in the same way we consider any other leading health issue, and that there was something we could do about it. I had no idea suicide was so prevalent or that it was being addressed on a national level. That inspired me to get involved with the Dallas Community Walk. I’m now the Chair of Programs and Education for the North Texas Chapter.

Suicide prevention education is so important because there are still people who wrongly believe that willpower can get you through depression, or that therapy and medication are crutches for weak people. The prevalence of suicide is also under-recognized. That’s why we’re out there, presenting the Talk Saves Lives™ (TSL) education program. Suicide is a worldwide health crisis, and this program gives people the facts and statistics about it, helps them understand the causes, and shows how we can all intervene to help people. When I first tell someone about Talk Saves Lives, I tell them that it saved my life, and I want to share how it can save someone else’s.

I had known for decades that I was bisexual, and it was something my wife and I discussed very early on in our dating. As a father, I plan to instill in my son that we all deserve love, compassion, and grace to be who we are.

I am so proud that AFSP has created Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention in the LGBTQ Community. It’s not just for LGBTQ+ folks, but for friends and family members of that community. Suicide prevention education in the LGBTQ+ community was sorely lacking. This program contains relevant data and guidance, and breaks things down by orientation and identification. People have immediately responded to this new version of Talk Saves Lives, commenting that they feel more “seen.”

AFSP’s education programs are geared toward many different audiences, and are available in different settings. It’s Real has two iterations: one for teens, and one for college students. There’s also Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health© for younger children. It’s vital that we help young people learn to communicate their feelings and struggles. We’ve presented Talk Saves Lives at businesses, community centers, LGBTQ+ centers/festivals, and even anime and movie conventions. We’ve also been graciously hosted by churches, synagogues, and other non-profits. Everyone can benefit from knowing more.

I think a big misconception is that those with lived experience are selfish or weak. We are neither. Mental health can be like a labyrinth, and it takes a lot to navigate out of the darkness.

What’s special is that I’ve now found my people. I’m able to be incredibly transparent about my past and current struggles and be met with nothing but love and support. It’s the same kind of support survivors of suicide loss find at AFSP: a community of people who understand.

Being a part of AFSP’s education programs has given my journey an added sense of purpose and meaning. I have found that bringing hope and providing knowledge can save a life. This is healing work. It makes me feel fulfilled.