I lost my mom to suicide. Here’s why I sometimes hate Suicide Prevention Month

My Instagram bio says I am an advocate for suicide prevention.

I wear a blue rubber bracelet every day that says "Talk about it."

I sign up for suicide prevention walks, raise money for research and share stories about reaching out. One of my most-worn T-shirts says “Mental Health Matters.”

My mom died by suicide in 2012. And I have suffered from depression and am proof that sometimes a random check-in from a friend or an unexpected note can pull you out of a dark moment.

And yet, Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) and Month can feel like a gut punch some years. If suicide can be prevented, how come I couldn't save my mom?

Across my socials, I am reminded to check on loved ones. Reach out. Notice the signs. Be kind.

Suicide grief, no matter how hard you try to not let it consume you, often ends with “what if” questions that don’t let go. What if I noticed more? What if I did more?

For me, it was: What if I picked up the phone when my mom called from the Grand Canyon on that foggy April morning 14 years ago? What if I didn’t let it…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/life/