As sensitive a topic it is, it's not obvious to most of us, otherwise, we'd see the signs. People are hurting. They want the pain to end. They've been dragged down by the weight of this invisible burden like a ball and chain on their soul. You may not see that or know much about their struggle. There are three steps you can take when you're talking with someone who's struggling and thinking about suicide. They may or may not have a plan. Whether or not they are intentional about acting on the desire, you can still be keen on addressing this. Having a healing conversation with someone is not natural, nor is it easy. There are tools you can learn to start talking to others, though. Observe to Identify The first step is to observe. It takes intentional effort to see if someone is suffering under an invisible, [...]

Living with a loved one who is in decline and has been giving up hope can be overwhelming, to say the least. When you want to change their behaviors, but you can't, frustration and tension can soon set in. No one wants to be in the depths of depression, or riddled with anxiety. If you're in a better place, you can be the one to help fight with them and for them. Here are a few ideas of what to do if you are with a loved one who is going through a rough time internally. If you are that loved one, these are for your toolkit too: Pray For Them   At the most hopeless seasons in my life, I've been lifted up through prayer. I firmly believe that has been a game-changer in my life in the midst of and despite my mental illness. Hope has never [...]