We need to talk about suicide

Suicide is a painful subject - it's nearly a taboo in our society. Something happens, though, when you share your own story of how your family has been affected by suicide. When you start talking, people begin to share their own stories - and you realize just how many of us have lost a friend, family member, or co-worker to suicide.

We lost our sister-in-law, Atta, on Christmas Even in 2015. She was an amazing mom. She was always the one who had it together; always the high-functioning one who was organized, on top of everything, and who seemed to do it all. She also suffered from depression. I wish we had known then what we know now about suicide and depression.

We need to talk about mental health. We need to talk about suicide.

If you're willing to comment and share your story, please comment below. I want to hear.

We can help prevent more tragedies like this. On May 20th, we are walking in the Out of Darkness overnight walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

If you, or anyone you love, has been affected by suicide, please consider making a donation to sponsor our walk.

The Out of Darkness walk runs from dusk to dawn. In last year's walk in San Francisco, I saw a man walk 18 miles in his sister's high-heeled shoes. He had just lost his sister to suicide and he was determined to honor her memory and to raise awareness for suicide prevention. We saw him start out the walk limping; 12 hours later we saw him hobble over the finish line assisted by his friends, still wearing the shoes (now bloody), with tears streaming down his face.

We've lost people. We lose the ones we love - 40,000 people in the US alone last year. And we can make a difference.

Please support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by donating now.

Your contribution is tax-deductible, and the AFSP is rated 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator, the premier organization which rates charities on efficiency and transparency.

Thank you.