When I was 13 years old, I started thinking about taking my life. 

When I was 15 years old, I went to inpatient treatment to get help.

When I was 16 years old, I had my first of many losses of close friends to suicide.

When I became a registered nurse in an inpatient psychiatric facility, I lost my first of many patients to suicide.

When I was a parent of a teen, I had a child struggling so much they wanted to take their own life.

When there was a suicide cluster in my community, I started a nonprofit to help the community and parents like myself, navigate mental health and addiction recovery resources. 

When I moved to Colorado, I became part of the suicide prevention community and joined with Rise Against Suicide to address barriers youth at risk for suicide face accessing therapeutic services they need to find hope and healing.

Looking at this brief synopsis of my life journey, I see a spectrum. On one side there is immense emotional pain, hopelessness, grief, confusion, and loss. On the other side there is hope, healing, remembrance, motivation, and action for change. Through embracing the entirety of my story, I have been able to be a light to others. 

If do not know if you personally relate to this story, but I can tell you that statistically there are people in your life who do. Young, old, those with money, and those without. Suicide does not discriminate.

Many of you have reached out to me at your time of need for yourself or your child. Today I am extending my hand to you and asking for help for the cause so near and dear to my heart. If you are able, please support my team for the Rise Against Suicide Emerge 5K. Together we can make sure that hurting youth at risk of suicide get free therapeutic services. 

In loving memory of all those I have loved and lost and in solidarity with my friends who have had to bury their own loved ones. 

Forever for the one,

Sherry