The following may have explicit content that may not be suitable for all readers. However, parents have a chat with your kids….

No, I didn’t forget; I got busy. Also, it sometimes takes me a moment to figure out what exactly I want to say. With this being a touchy subject, I decided to take my time; approach with kids gloves and hope not to hurt or offend anyone. A lot of people don’t or didn’t know that April is sexual assault awareness month. So, with that being said, lets chat.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is an umbrella term that covers several different types of explicit, inappropriate and sometimes violent behaviors that include:

Rape
Attempted Rape
Fondling and unwanted touching
Unwanted sexual acts such as oral sex or penetration of digits or objects (sodomy)

Approximately, there are 500,000 sexual assaults that happen yearly to both males and females over the age of 12.

According to the 2016 National Statistics, there are almost 60,000 sexual assaults committed on children over that year.

Females ages 12-34 have the highest amount of reported sexual assaults. 82% are juveniles.

Since 1998 it is estimated that 17.7 million females in the United States were victims of sexual assault.

But its not just the girls…

1 in 33 males have experienced some sort of sexual assault.

1 out of 10 rape victims are males.

Since 1998 2.78 million males in the United States have been a victim of sexual assault.

And that folks is just the ones that are reported. 75% yes…75% of sexual assaults go unreported. Why?

Stand by for my soapbox….

Why? That’s always the question, really. Ever heard of a term called “rape culture”? It is more or less the desensitizing and normalization of rape and sexual assault. Its not taken as seriously. Victim blaming happens. Victim even starts to think they are to blame themselves. There is a lot of what ifs. What used to be taboo to even mention is now being used as the butt of jokes. We make excuses as to why the assault happened in the first place. We question motives, sexuality, and clothing style. Not to mention, that some victims would rather hide their secret then get humiliated by people at school, their community, their work, or the justice system. NUMBER 1 question I HATE to hear someone ask a victim is “What were you wearing?” Really? What does that matter? She could be wearing a toga with a thong and it still doesn’t give anyone the right to touch her. “How much did you have to drink?” “Why were you there?” No matter what the circumstances, background, or clothing involved, no really does mean no.

NO means NO. Simple really.

Yet somewhere in our sociality we have normalized sexual assault. Instead of blaming the perpetrator for their actions we blame the victim.

As stated in the statistics, sexual assault does not just happen to females. Males are victims too and have to tackle their own stereotypes. It is believed that statistics for males are even high then we know because they just do not report. To report would mean they would have to question themselves about the masculinity or sexuality.

Both males and females can be perpetrators. Yes you read that correctly, # metoo goes both ways. Females are capable as well. 8 out of 10 sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows and sometimes trust. There is always the statement “I didn’t see this coming” when people finally find the truth. The best I can explain this is that we are all 3 people.

The first person is the person everyone sees in public. The guy who helps out at the games. The lady that volunteers. Those nice folks that don’t have a mean bone in their body.

Second person is the person seen at home. Only the family and those close see this person not the public.

Third person is the person we see ourselves as and those thought that go through our mind. No one else see this unless we show them.

Most of the time these 3 people are good and mean well and there isn’t a cause for concern, however someone can look like they are an outstanding person on the outside, only to harnessing dark intentions and past.

Why explain the 3 people? Well to hopefully show you that not everything is as it seems. Our perception of what an assailant or rapist look like isn’t always accurate. In truth, you have no idea what people are truly capable of. Honestly, nothing surprises me anymore.

So, what do we do? For starters, rape culture needs to be a thing of the past. Its ok to trust but verify, but no more blaming, shaming, or denial. Take reporting seriously no matter the past of the person reporting. Give support and resources. Report. Educate yourself.

I understand reporting is a hard thing to do, but I want you to think about something; what if there is a next person? What if you could have stopped the next person from getting hurt? Not to mention, don’t you want peace for yourself? Not to look over your shoulder all the time? Don’t you think you deserve justice? They are not in charge of your life, why are you letting them rule it? At the end of the day, they need to be held accountable for their actions and face the consequences of those actions.

If you or someone you know have been the victim of sexual assault and need to speak with someone, my door is always open. There are also several other resource available that I will list below.

There have been a few documentaries that show the aftereffects of sexual assaults on teenagers and the importance of getting help to them fast. Like fast fast. Like, have a talk with your kids about the real world and keep an open and honest dialogue. Its not all butterflies and rainbows and they need to know what to do for themselves but also if they have a friend that needs saving. I won’t go into how the adolescent brain works, but as many know it obviously works a bit different than an adult. The thing is, kids talk to other kids who talk to other kids. Before you know it, everyone knows and some of those kids aren’t the nicest. You can tell me we don’t have a bully problem here and I will tell you that is BS. But I won’t get on that soapbox. Our goal as parents is to grow our kids into great adults, but it starts with us being good parents, or even role models. I suggest watching the documentaries before allowing your teens to watch. They can be pretty graphic but gives an understanding how it feels to be a victim of sexual assault. From there you can build a conversation.

Lastly, if you are reading this and have been a victim of sexual assault, I’m not sure if you need to hear this or not but here it is: you did nothing wrong. You did nothing wrong. You did nothing wrong. You have no reason to blame yourself for something someone did to you. Don’t let them rule your life. I encourage you to seek mental health to help you get back to being you. You got this and will always have someone in your corner.

“When you feel like you can’t tread water any longer, remember that you are not alone. You are surrounded by other ducks that are willing to help you swim and remind you that ducks are awesome!”

Resources:
RAINN (Rape and Assault Hotline): 1-800-656-4673
Morgan County Sheriff Office: 573-378-5481
Morgan County PA Victim Advocate: 573-789-4499
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
RACS Jefferson City: 573-634-4911
CADV Camdenton:573-346-9630
CASA Sedalia: 660-827-5559
HHACC Hermitage: 417-850-2278
Safebae.org

Documentaries:
Saving Daisy
Audrie & Daisy
Unbelievable

Good morning and welcome to a “Keeping it Real” talk with Steph.

If Beethoven would have quit because he was deaf, we would have never have heard the 5th symphony.

If Ray Charles would have given up after he went blind, there would have never been a “Hit the Road Jack” or an awesome rendition of “America the Beautiful”.

If JK Rowling would have accepted the 12 rejections from publishers, we would have never seen a young boy over come his past and defeat his enemies (Harry Potter).

If Walt Disney would have laid down his pencil and listened to the others that said he lacked imagination, there wouldn’t be “the happiest place on Earth.”

If Emmet would have accepted he was ordinary, Taco Tuesday would have destroyed Bricksburg.

Life is about obstacles. If you allow yourself to quit or accept failure, you will have a hard time dealing with obstacles when something really important comes along.

There once was a boy who hated soccer, believe it or not. He didn’t have any friends, always played positions he didn’t like, and just felt he didn’t fit in. As parents we want to do what our kids want to make them happy. What are we teaching them if we allow them to quit when something gets hard? Every year we went out, signed the papers and every year about 4 practices and 1 game into it, he’d say he didn’t want to play. Because quitting is not an option in my house, we continued. See it wasn’t the game, he just felt like he didn’t fit in, like he didn’t belong, like he wasn’t good enough.

Sometimes, you’re not going to fit in. Sometimes, you’re just going to be the odd man out. Sometimes, there is gonna be that one person who is better. So what do you do? What did he do? He pushed himself. He practiced, he set goals, he taught himself to be the best he can be and he did not quit. Today that kid lives for soccer season.

If you accept failure now, how are you going to learn how to push yourself to success later? Just think about that and let it sink in. You are not doing yourself any favors by quitting. Life’s hard and no one ever said everything was gonna be easy. If you quit the “hard” stuff now, how are you going to learn how to over come those things in the future?

I’m not saying I cried at the end of “A Star is Born”, but my allergies did flare up enough to require a tissue…

Not only is it a love story about two star crossed lovers, it also gives a pretty good depiction of the before, during and after effects of drug and alcohol addiction. So let’s chat…

We all have been touch, at some time in our lives, by addiction. Perhaps it’s not you, personally, but maybe a brother, sister, father, mother, husband, wife, child or friend. Many will claim it’s a choice. You chose to do X,Y and Z. At first you are correct, however, that is not always the case and if it were, we all would be an addict. Ever have surgery and prescribed pain meds? Many of us don’t have a problem as long as we follow the directions on the bottle. I’m a firm believer, and there are studies that depict this as well, that addiction is a little more psychological then we would first believe.

Ever heard of the phase “drown my sorrow?” It’s not because you cry a lot. Or “drink my blues/cares away?” The question we should be asking is, what lead them to this place? How and why did they chose this path?

For many in the greater Morgan County area it’s a matter of family tradition, a vicious cycle. “Mom /dad did drugs, now I’m gonna try them out. Got nothing for me any way.” That’s not true. The world is your oyster. There are always other paths. For others it may be a series of unfortunate events that lead them to self medicate. Either way, many times there is a reason why they chose to follow the path of least resistance. Isn’t is easier to try and forget rather than face truths? The truth may be scary and unbearable but something that must be addressed to move forward. There is help out there.

We all have seen it before, interventions, family meetings but the truth is you can’t force an addict to get clean. They, the addict, is truly the only one that can make that choice. Even then it’s a process measured in little successes and often baby steps. It is not something that happens over night and may even take years of hard work and struggle. Many will fall from grace and pick themselves up and try again. It’s part of the growing pains. It’s not always the drugs or alcohol that is craved but the need for their personal normal.

Addicts that spent years dealing with addiction may not know how to function sober. They may feel out of place, not knowing how or what to do. They also have to separate themselves from those things that may have triggered cravings in the past; friends house, the bar, a stressful day. They struggle everyday to keep on the straight and narrow.

This often brings with it the sense of being alone and other signs of depression. They may feel as if those failures of the past are unforgivable instead of just stepping stones. Mistakes are made to learn from, not to obsess over. When you hit rock bottom the only way, truly, is up. Plus, rock bottom makes a pretty good foundation to build from. Don’t take the easy out. Fight for life. Battle your demons. There are always people out there willing to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen.

Mom, Dad have that conversation about drugs and alcohol with your kids. Every parent parents differently and I’m not here to tell you what to do but sometimes those hard conversations need to be had. Make sure they understand the effects that can come from those choices. Set the bar high and be good examples.

If you or a loved one is fighting addiction and would like some help call the national addiction hotline at 1800-662-HELP or seek out you local rehab facility.

If you are depressed and having thoughts of suicide call the national suicide hotline at 1800-273-8255 or your local law enforcement.

With that, my ear is available for listening at anytime, day, night, and even weekends. Having a hard day? Message me and we’ll talk it out or give me a call.

Also watch “A Star is Born”. Bradley Cooper ages like a fine wine and Lady Gaga is hardly recognizable. Who know that Bradley Cooper could sing?!? I’m not sure if that’s really him playing the guitar too or not but his hot guy points went up! Make sure you have tissue available in case you eyes spring a leak or allergies get in the way.

Ladies and Gentlemen; good evening and welcome to another addition of “Real Talk” with Steph. So, lets chat!

I haven’t always been this old and “wise” in fact I once was a teenager like many that will read this. I know hard to believe, right? Like many teenagers, and adults, I have made decision I wasn’t proud of. I know how it feels to hit rock bottom and think that you’re the only one sitting in the dark. The silly and stupid decisions, however, are what made me who I am today. That rock bottom I hit once, or twice, made a good foundation to build on.

As many of you know, I talk for a living. Not in a public since, per se (Although its on my bucket list…Motivational Speaker ) but I find myself talking to all kinds of people in need of something and someone to listen to or will listen to them. I often find that my “mom” comes out in many of these conversations. Not my “mom” voice, but you know that “lets talk about whats going on and try to fix it” mom. So I’d like to share some of that “Mom wisdom” with you.

Its about QUALITY not QUANTITY:

Friends are nice to have. As teens many of us lived for our friends and thought that if we have several we won’t have to worry about getting left behind. The fact is that many of those so called “friends” aren’t really your friends at all. A friend is someone you can rely on. It’s someone that will walk through fire for you. A true friend is someone that you can go without talking to for days, weeks, and months and then one day meet up and pick up right where you left off without someone being hurt because they understand that life happens. Friends don’t talk behind your back and can keep those dark secrets that you may share. They don’t care where you bought your clothes, your social economic status, and are there for you when you need them most. They certainly don’t throw you under the bus or turn a blind eye when you need them most. A friend will call you out of the blue just to say hi and check on you. Your life is not depicted by the amount of friends you have, but by the quality of the people you choose to keep by your side.

Don’t air dirty laundry:

Small towns are notorious for talking about things and people no matter if they understand the situation or not. Find that one person to confide in and don’t give the rest something to talk about. I have been working on my social experiment for years, I guarantee you that the information that will get back to you is not the information that you have given. So unless you are like me and want to see what comes back around, its best not to poor your heart out to a stranger or a fake friend.

If I knew then what I know now, I’d be a millionaire:

First jobs are scary, but fun, and teach you all sort of things. I’m not a math genius, that gene skip a generation and I passed it on to my kids but I found myself talking to a young lady today about saving. Shes about to get her first paycheck and by god does she have plans. As we were talking about these plans, we started talking about saving money for a rainy day. What happens when you save $100 a month for 12 months? Say you decide to turn it into a game and start saving $100 a month for the next 3 years? You get to were you are graduating highschool and decide lets just keep going until you are 25? How much money would you have saved and what can you do with it? For those who are not good at math like me thats $100x 60 months = $6000 Thats starting at the age of 15. By the age of 30 she could save $18,000. The moral of the story is its never too late to save up for your future, no matter the job.

Be a Duck:

No not the “Mighty Ducks”, although that would be pretty awesome! Ducks are beautiful magical creatures that give us lessons if you’re willing to listen. Contrary to popular belief, ducks do not float. On the upside they are calm, moving effortlessly through the water. On the downside, however, they are working overtime to stay afloat; moving their little feet, treading and flapping just to move along the water. Their feathers have oil that allows the rain and the water to roll off their back and the down allows them to stay warm when the weather turns. Your troubles might weigh you down, but keep moving your feet. Sooner or later it becomes easier to tread water. Those things that bother you, let them roll off your back. When you are feeling cold, cover yourself with positive thoughts and friends that will keep you warm. Don’t let it get to you and keep calm like a duck on a pond.

I’m going to leave you with a little saying. I don’t really know if its exact at this point, but one that I remember:

It doesn’t matter the jeans you wear or the friends you have; what matters is the person you become.

We all have something we strive for. Sometimes its the stepping stones that get us there.

I should be doing homework…but…we are going to talk about stuff and ducks. So lets chat.

It’s been a rough few weeks, a lot of things been going on. At any given moment, people around the world, well everyone really, has stuff just going on. Some stuff is good, some stuff not so much, and some stuff that is horrific. Along with that, people handle stuff differently. Some handle stuff by laughing. Some handle stuff with crying. Some handle stuff by getting angry. Some handle stuff by pretending it doesn’t exist. Either way, everybody has stuff, and some aren’t sure what to do with it. To that I say, be a duck.

Duck? Yes duck; let me explain…

Ever heard the phrase “like a duck on a pond?” Ducks are truly magical creatures. On the surface they appear calm as they move effortlessly along the water; “floating” around with little care in the world. In reality, though, this is anything but. If you were to look underneath the water, they are flapping and churning their little webbed feet fighting to stay afloat. If they were to stop, they would sink, but they know in order to move forward they must keep swimming. Not only can they keep calm under pressure, but their feathers have down underneath that allow the water to roll off their backs.

When all that stuff has got you weighed down; be a duck. Let that negativity just roll off your back like water. Take a deep breath and stay calm. Don’t get frustrated, keep a level head. Never stop, move forward and just keep swimming, I promise it’ll get better eventually. These are just moments in your life that don’t define you. Its that hard stuff that makes us stronger sometimes. When you feel like you can’t tread water any longer,remember you are not alone. You are surrounded by other ducks that are willing to help you swim and remind you that ducks are awesome.

Be a duck.

“Go play outside!” ~Mom

Well I got a little time on my hands so why not a “Real Talk” with Steph!

Anyone else out there in the world feel as if you are now at the age where you say things that your parent used to say to you?

“Boy, when I was your age…”
“Back in the day…”
“Things just ain’t what they used to be…”

Just to list a few…

So what happened? I think to answer that we would have to travel back in time. First, “video killed the radio star.” Kids these days will never know, nor appreciate, sitting for hours waiting for your favorite song to come on the radio just so you can hit the record button to make a mixed tape. If you were lucky you even get the beginning of the song. Now everything is available with a click of a button. (A tape was a plastic rectangle with brown plastic string stuff that you put in a cassette player and it would play music. Not to be mistaken for the sticky stuff.- for you young folks)

Back in our day, MTV, VH1, and CMT actually had music videos and not garbage like “16 and Pregnant” which glorifies teen pregnancy or “Jersey Shore” which shows stupid people and hold no value whatsoever. It just got worse from there…

We used to play outside until the street lights came on. On the weekends, we would play hide and go seek in the dark. Mom made dinner for the family and we sat at the table. If you didn’t like what she fixed, you didn’t eat. We drank water from a garden hose, and most of us are still alive to tell the story. We learned that drugs were bad, how to say no and not to give into peer pressure. We worked in the family business without the expectation of getting paid. We said “yes” not “yeah”, and “no” not “nah”. We called our elders “Sir”, “Ma’am”, “Mr.”, “Miss” or “Mrs” and never by their first names. We said please and thank you.

If we wanted something, we had to work for it! That way you learn to appreciate things instead of discarding or destroying what you have. We didn’t have cellphones and when we finally did there were no games on it and you could drop it without it breaking. It was used for one thing and one thing alone; making phone calls. When you finally learned how to text on it, it cost extra and would take you like 5 minutes to push your way through all the buttons.

If you were lucky, your family had a computer. Just one. If you came from a somewhat well off family, you would have internet but could only get online if no one else was on the house phone. (They used to hang on the wall and were connected with a cord. ) Even then you would have to wait 10 minutes, if not more, for it to dial up and connect. There was no Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, or MeWe.

If you wanted to take a picture, it required you to have a camera with film in it. Then you had to wait a week for those pictures to come back only to find they were trash. The first digital cameras took horrible grainy pictures that could only be printed on 4×6 glossy paper to look half way decent.

We took family vacations, even if that vacation was only a day and it meant we went Big Surf. When you went out for dinner, it was best you minded your manners, didn’t throw a fit, or you would go sit in the car. You asked your parents if it was ok to order XYZ, and you didn’t just assume.

We didn’t worry so much about child obesity, because we ran, biked, and skated. We didn’t have phone’s, tablets, lap tops, chromebooks, or gaming systems. When we did have a gaming system you only played it when it was raining out. Then and only then, you were the master of the sewer pipes and saved Princess Peach from King Koopa. If the sun was shining, you were outside where you stayed until your mom whistled or the street lights came on.

We talked to people. We could look them in the eye and have an intelligent conversations. We talked to our friends, we didn’t have a cell phone to look down on the entire time. Closest thing we got to a text message was when we passed notes in class and you hoped it wasn’t intercepted by the teacher. We took care of our bullies by standing up to them and didn’t cower in the corner and cry about how they were being mean. I’m not saying we didn’t have our share of problems; there were and will always be cliques. There is always going to be someone who believes they are better then everyone else. Yes we had problems, but it seemed like it was easier to take care of them. School stayed at school, home stayed at home, and we tried not to mix the two.

I could go on but we know that kids these days have it different. We as a generation, that don’t like to be considered millennials, have evolved ourselves. We can talk about how things are different and talk to kids like we are old, but the truth is; we are the ones that allowed it. Instead of talking to our kids we handed them those electronics we oh so often proclaim we despise. It’s often easier to ignore the issues instead of facing them head on. Many of us, including myself, are guilty of playing on our phones instead of having meaningful conversations. It’s easier to hand the kid something to keep them occupied rather than teaching them to entertain themselves.

So how do we teach our kids that this phone or tablet or website or whatever isn’t everything; that there is more to life? For staters, you can have electronic free days where you go do family things. Go on family vacation, even if it’s just a trip to Big Surf. Have family time. Kick the kids out of the house when the sun is shining. They wanna go to the pool? You’re not a taxi; they have 2 feet or a bike. Make dinner and sit at the table. Teach them to entertain themselves by coloring, playing with toys, or even card games. Teach them to be articulate, how to look at people when you talk to them and to have manners. Put down the phone. Explain to them that bullying will not be tolerated and teach them have a stand up for themselves; not with violence but with words and actions. If they want something, have them work for it so they can appreciate it. Teach them things that will help them be better adults and lead by example.

I’m sure that there will be many that don’t/won’t agree with me, and that’s fine. Just keep in mind that they really are our future. Somewhere out there is a 9 year old that one-day will be president. There’s a 5 year old that one day will be our local law enforcement. There’s a 15 year old that will one-day grow up to be a doctor, lawyer, or plumber. Some of those values and things that we learned as kids, are important for them to learn.

Put down the phone.

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” ~ Victor Hugo

I should be doing homework, but I feel as if there is something more important that we should discuss. So, lets chat.

It breaks my heart to open Facebook and read another “Fair winds and Following seas.” There have been so many in the past year that I have almost lost count. What saddens me the most is they are young lives, with so much potential, cut short. It’s a problem that is brought on by life’s ups and life’s downs. A battle that is fought internally within one’s self that has brought them to the point where they feel as if there is no other way.

Suicide and depression is one of those taboo subjects that no one wants to talk about, but everyone wants to look out for. We all can do the 22 a day challenge to bring awareness, but no amount of push-ups is going to solve the problem. There’s a stigma and it needs to be addressed.

One of the hardest things to do is to talk someone off the ledge; to convince someone they are worthy, loved and not alone. Many don’t talk about it; they go on about their lives secretly planning. We all have listened and read the comments, “He was just so nice, easy going, always making people laugh.” We go through the list in our heads wondering if they showed us a sign that we just simply missed.

There’s the issue of how we perceive ourselves and what we take on in our lives. Those of us in public service, military service, or civil service often take on the jobs that require us to give a piece of ourselves. We are on call, get woke up at all hours of the night, put in 40+ hours a week, spend time away from our families, and work under less than ideal circumstances and situations. We see things of nightmares that haunt our dreams and keep us up at night. We take on so much and do for others that we often forget to take care of ourselves. Who’s number 1? Who’s the most important? YOU ARE. I don’t care if your married, have kids, dogs, cats, or mortal enemies; you are number 1, you are the most important. Because in order to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself. Sometimes that taking care of yourself means going and talking to someone.

No. You’re not afraid to talk, you’re afraid of what others may say. So you bottle it up, cry on the inside, and put on a pretty face. You mask your feelings because you don’t want people to think you can’t handle it. You put up walls, become secluded. Maybe you decide to self-medicate, only to feel like crap the next day. All the while all those things that bother you, that keep you up, build up. Then, the damn breaks. You feel alone and your thoughts wonder…

You’re not alone.

Depression is sneaky and shows up when we least expect it. You’re left there wondering and thinking to yourself “If I go talk to someone, others will think I’m weak.” There’s a stigma that needs to be address; needs to be fixed. You’re not weak. You’re lost and need some help finding your way. You’re going through a mental health crisis. If you fall down and break your leg you’d go to the hospital and see a doctor, right? You wouldn’t just put it off and say “Nah, I got this” until you can’t walk anymore. So why wouldn’t you go see a mental health professional for your brain illness? There are those out there willing to help you through your time of need. You can go in person, on the phone, or even online. Sometimes you just need to tell a complete stranger all those things that you have bottled up. When you look at it, its almost the perfect relationship. Its not like your going to hang out later and they can’t judge you. They can’t tell anyone else because its confidential. You don’t even have to send them a Christmas card.

You’re not weak. You’re not alone.

I guarantee that there many of us that have felt the grips of depression before. Its real. Life can often make you feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride, built by the lowest bidder. Sometimes it’s a little slow and bumpy at first, then it can take you to places that make your heart race, or jar you from side to side, but it will always smooth out in the end, if you just stick with it. Those things that may bother you today, will be something that will make you stronger tomorrow. Rock bottom can make a good foundation to build up on. Before you know it, it’s merely a memory.

You are not weak. You are not alone. You are number 1. You are the most important. You.

Talk to someone, be it a friend, co-worker, boss, complete stranger, health care professional, just anyone. Seek out the help you need. Don’t worry about what others might think. Take care of you. Because there is no one who is youer than you and there are those out there that still need you.

If you are a boss, co-worker, battle buddy, wingman, or shipmate; for God’s sake, look after your people. Be supportive of those seeking help for themselves. There is nothing worse than trying to battle internal demons and not having a support system. If you notice someone is changing, address it. Don’t be afraid to pull someone aside and ask if they are ok. That one act of caring might just make a world of difference. You too can save a life and not even know it. Be supportive. Be supportive. Be supportive. Become familiar with places around your area that offer mental health. I can’t stress that enough.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression and contemplating suicide please, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.