Choose To Live:

A Suicide Prevention Initiative 

Hey all, it's Miss Lehi here. I am glad I finally have the opportunity to write this post. It really has been a long time coming. I think it's about time that we talk about something that I personally see as majorly important- suicide. Now, I know when I say it like that it comes a bit abrasive and abrupt, but I hope you will hold on with me just a little bit longer. I want to talk about this because, as most of you know, it is a real problem facing a lot of us in today's world. Whether directly or indirectly, suicide has begun effecting over 50% of American homes. Did you guys know that suicide is now the leading cause of death among teenagers? Does that shock some of you? It doesn't shock me, but it does really make me concerned. 

Now, some of you are probably reading this and thinking, why in the world should I listen to this girl? What does she know? Trust me, I am no expert when it comes to the topic of mental health and suicide, but I can tell you why it matters to me so much. Back nearly two years ago I had someone in my family attempt suicide. It was shocking, new, and devastating for my family. None of us saw it coming, or at least, we didn't recognize the signs when they were there. This member of my family was someone I loved very much and someone that I look up to. Finally realizing that this person was in such a state that she no longer wanted to even live really opened up my eyes to reality. Guys, mental illness is real, suicide is real. It's no longer some secret we can try to keep locked up and never address again, No, this experience made me see that something had to be done. 

That is why I chose suicide prevention as my platform as Miss Lehi. I felt that be doing so, I might be able to make a difference somehow, and maybe prevent another family from going through what mine did. I wanted people to know that they aren't alone in their struggles with suicide or mental illness, and that there are ways to get help in order to stay alive. That is why I titled it Choose To Live. For anyone still reading this, deciding to live, and not just live but live happily, is a choice. It is something we get to decide. That's the beauty of it really. I really want people to understand that they have control over their lives. None of us have control what other people do or say, but we really can choose how we react to it. This life is not just about living but choosing to live. 

And that's why I am starting this blog. I want this to be a place of refuge for those that are struggling and don't know where to turn. I want this to be a place where stories of hope and happiness can be shared. I want this to be a place where stories of why we Choose To Live are written, shared, and appreciated.

I want to hear from you! If you have a story about why you Choose To Live everyday email them to me at caitlinelizabeththomas21@gmail.com.