Silent Struggles, Brave Voices: The Power of Reaching Out

As September marks Suicide Prevention Month, we take this time to shine a light on the importance of mental health and the deep impact suicide has on individuals, families, and communities. But this isn't a conversation we should limit to just one month a year. Suicide prevention isn’t a task we check off at the end of September; it’s a lifelong commitment to kindness, empathy, and understanding.

Every year, far too many people lose their lives to suicide, and many more quietly struggle with mental health issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 700,000 people die by suicide each year. That's one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent lives lost, families affected, and communities left in grief. These are reminders of how essential it is to be vigilant and compassionate, not just during this month, but always.

The silence around these topics can be devastating, but it’s important to remember that simply being there for one another can make all the difference. September reminds us that we don’t need to wait for the perfect moment or the right words to offer support—we can start today, every day.

This past weekend, I watched The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with my family. It’s a simple yet beautiful story that carries a powerful message about friendship, love, and vulnerability. One scene in particular stood out to me, where the Mole asks the Horse, “What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” And the Horse quietly responds, “Help.”

That word—help—is perhaps the scariest and yet the bravest word someone struggling with their mental health can utter. For many, asking for help feels like admitting defeat, when in reality, it’s a sign of tremendous strength. “It’s not about giving up; it’s about refusing to give up”. It’s about recognising that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone.

In a world where strength is often equated with independence, we need to redefine what it means to be strong. Strength is being able to reach out when the weight of the world feels too heavy to bear alone. And for those of us on the other side, being the one someone turns to for help is not a role to be taken lightly.

One of the biggest misconceptions we face is that to help someone in distress, we need to have the right answers, the perfect solutions, or words of wisdom. But here’s the truth: We don’t need to understand exactly what someone is feeling. We don’t have to comprehend their pain in order to be there for them. Offering support doesn’t mean offering life lessons or trying to fix things. Sometimes, the most powerful act is simply to listen—to be a shoulder to cry on, to be an open ear, and to let someone express what they’re feeling without fear of judgment.

We may not always know the right thing to say, and that’s okay. Just sitting with someone in their pain, in silence or with simple words like “I’m here for you,” can make all the difference. So often, it’s not about finding solutions, but about making space for someone else’s emotions. It’s about creating a safe environment where they feel seen and heard.

Though September is a time to spotlight suicide prevention, this conversation is one we need to carry with us all year round. Mental health struggles don’t follow a calendar—they happen every day, to people in all walks of life, and at times we least expect. We need to create a world where it’s okay to say, “I’m not okay,” without fear of being dismissed or judged.

Let’s make it a priority to keep checking in on each other—not just during awareness months, but always. Whether it’s sending a message to a friend you haven’t heard from in a while, offering a kind word to a colleague, or asking someone how they’re really doing, these small gestures can save lives. You never know when your words, your presence, or your willingness to listen might be the lifeline someone needs.

At the heart of suicide prevention is compassion—compassion for those around us and compassion for ourselves. We need to be kind, not just to others, but to ourselves. We need to acknowledge that mental health is just as important as physical health, and taking care of our emotional well-being is a vital part of living a full and healthy life.

Sometimes, compassion means recognising when we need help ourselves. Asking for help isn’t a sign of failure; it’s an act of courage. It’s an acknowledgment that we are human, that we all need support at times, and that there is no shame in reaching out. By taking care of our own mental health, we can be in a better position to help those around us.

This September, and every month that follows, let’s commit to fostering a culture where vulnerability is met with understanding, where mental health is prioritised, and where no one has to struggle in silence. Let’s continue the conversation, not just for one month, but for all the months to come.

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do. You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Reach out. Speak up. And let’s all stand together to create a world where no one feels like giving up is the only option.

’Til next time…