Sharing Hope.

Hope is real and all around us—but it must be looked for and celebrated. It means choosing to focus on what makes you feel alive and inspired, regardless of the other circumstances that may try to determine your outlook. As National Suicide Prevention Week closes, we want you to point out the hopeful places in your world. 

WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE, AND HOW CAN YOU SHARE THAT WITH OTHERS?

“Art and community! It’s amazing to see what we all have in common and that there are so many people out there who care and would be there to talk in a heartbeat. Having these conversations, I believe, is what can help us reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.” - Jessica, 22

“I make lists of things I’m grateful for and things I’m looking forward to. It’s a simple way to lift your spirits.”

“Sharing is simple: invite people into those moments, send them a link to that amazing new song you’ve been listening to, take them for a drive, let them know you appreciate them.”

“This too shall pass. Nothing is so bad that it cannot be coped with.” – Darlene, 43

“Friends and survivors. Hope comes from seeing that there’s another side of life. That what your feeling now doesn’t last forever, and someone can tell you that, from experience.”

“In the beginning, it was people who took away my hope. I was raped and abused and always told that I wasn’t good enough. But in the end, it was people who gave me back that hope that we all come into the world with. There are certain people who we come across in life who offer you a hand of comfort, and they change your perspective forever.”

“I draw and paint. The stress goes away, and I can admire the beauty of my feelings on a canvas.” – Delaney

“Looking at a clear night’s sky and being stunned by how beautiful the stars are.”

“My scars have healed. I am alive. I have hope.”

“I know that depression is a part of my life, but it is not what defines my life. It happens, and eventually I move on. I know that I make a difference in other people’s lives, so that gives my life more meaning.” – Melissa, 26

“Scripture. Families. Friends. Oceans. Conversation. Children. Music. The thought that changing lives is a work we should all be doing, and a work we’re able to do.”

“The fact that I’ve now made it ten months without self-harming, in spite of very serious temptation.”

“Everyone who is suffering needs to hear from survivors that it does get better. People need to be able to believe it, and what better way than to hear it from people who know exactly how they feel.” – Katie, 15

“Coming to work everyday and seeing the kids I nanny gives me hope. I want to change lives… and I now feel that I am daily.”

“The good days. Honestly. There tend to be so many “bad days” that when a good one or decent one comes by, it’s like the biggest breath of fresh air. My bi-polar disorder tries to get the best of me, but I like to try and fight with art music and exercise. When those fail, it’s the hope that a “good day” will happen soon. That gets me through.”

“Music is gives me hope because it is universal.” – Kelli, 20

“Hope is all around me. It’s in my husband’s unconditional love and faith, family member’s support, support groups, etc. My psychologist has helped me find ways to channel my feelings into work. I have used my strong feelings as a fuel for art, crafts, and my music.”

“The resilience of humans, the continuing proof I see that we all crave connection and compassion. You guys at TWLOHA give me great hope. I get choked up just thinking of what you’ve done.” – Kimberly, 51

“My hope comes from the strength I see in the young people I work with. I see them fight eating disorders, depression, confusion, unhealthy thoughts and that to me is incredible. Everyone knows how hard it is being a teenager but to have all that extra stuff going on inside you can be daunting and it can be lonely, but I get to work with some of the strongest and bravest. I see them letting their vulnerability show, I see them saying “I’m not completely whole yet, but I’m on the way, and that’s okay.”  I see them telling others about the fights they have fought and the hope that they have found. That keeps me going.”

“What gives me hope is that more and more people seem to be inspired by the cause of suicide prevention and getting the word out. Seeing peoples’ lives change when they get help for depression, including my own, makes me realize that we can all have hope for a better tomorrow. It all starts with just talking to someone. And a smile can go a long way.”

“My future helps me move forward, and the memories I have of the ones I lost.” – Sara, 19

“Living a healthy lifestyle has given me hope that I can make it through the day.”

“One of my favorite sayings is that, ‘Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.’ Be happy that the sun came out from behind the clouds, or getting an A on your test.”

“Music. Writing. Small acts of kindness. It all counts. Anyone can write a nice post-it and put it some place for someone to find, or lay a lucky penny on the ground for someone else. Small things can make huge differences.” - Amber, 13

“Knowing I can make a difference helps me the most. I do that by walking for suicide prevention, raising awareness on my college campus, being candid with my experiences, and just showing my commitment to changing the world.”

 “Taking care of my two year-old daughter every day and thinking about not being there for her keeps me going, even during my bad days.”

“It does get better. It’s so difficult when someone you once knew turns into someone you do not know. But you need to stick by them, because without you, no one can recover.” – Rachel

“My baby son gives me hope. Every laugh, smile, or hug let’s me see I’m loved and needed by a nonjudgmental, innocent heart.”

“Just knowing that tomorrow is a blank slate. No matter what has happened, you start clean again the next day. Bad things may have happened, but there is always tomorrow, and it’s always new. – Meghan, 24

“What gives me the most hope is my belief that I can and WILL make a difference in my job as a school psychologist. I will never be jaded or turn a student away from my office. It gives me hope to know this can change… that my terrible loss can hopefully turn into something good.”

Share some hope today with the hashtag #NSPW12. You can learn more about NSPW and see how others are participating by following TWLOHA. 

#PleaseStayAlive.