Welcome to September: Let Us Keep Hope Alive

Welcome to the month of September; my birth month! 🥳🎉

I may be a little biased, but September has always been a special month to me. Beyond celebrating another year of life, this month also carries a message that is deeply meaningful to me: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

I pray that our mouths will be filled with laughter this month and that joy will overflow in our lives. May this month bring healing, hope, peace, and beautiful reminders that there is still so much worth living for.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

I wear many hats, and one of those hats includes serving as a Suicide Prevention Liaison in the United States Army. I take this responsibility seriously, both in and out of uniform.

The goal is simple, yet incredibly important: to make sure that our service members, their families, and the people around us stay alive.

One death is too many.

Suicide does not only affect the person who dies. It has a ripple effect. It leaves behind families, friends, coworkers, communities, and unanswered questions. It changes lives.

Throughout this month, I will be sharing messages, thoughts, resources, and conversations centered around suicide prevention and the importance of hope.

And perhaps some of you may be wondering:

What is my why?

Why is this something I care so deeply about?

My answer is simple: suicide prevention falls under my purpose.

It aligns perfectly with what I believe God has called me to do.

In many ways, suicide prevention is another way of saying:

Hope is being restored.

It is reminding someone that their story is not over.

It is sitting with someone in their darkest moments and helping them hold on until they can see the light again.

It is helping someone believe that what they are feeling right now does not have to be what they feel forever.

I have lost people who were dear to my heart, and I have also come close to losing people I love.

But God.

Those two words carry so much weight.

But God.

Sometimes, the people around us may be carrying burdens we know absolutely nothing about. Someone can smile with us, go to work, show up at church, post on social media, and still be fighting a battle in their mind.

This is why awareness matters.

And you do not have to be a mental health professional to help prevent suicide.

Sometimes, prevention begins with simply noticing.

Asking someone, “How are you really doing?”

Checking on the person who has suddenly become quiet.

Sitting with someone instead of immediately trying to fix them.

Listening.

Offering help.

Taking someone seriously when they say they are struggling.

Reminding them that they do not have to carry their pain alone.

Sometimes, What We Need Is Food

One of the stories in the Bible that speaks so deeply to me is the story of Elijah.

After witnessing God’s incredible power and victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah received a threat from Jezebel. Fear overwhelmed him, and he ran for his life.

Eventually, Elijah found himself alone in the wilderness.

He was exhausted.

He was afraid.

He was overwhelmed.

And the Bible tells us that Elijah reached a point where he prayed that he might die.

The same Elijah who had just experienced a powerful victory found himself in such deep despair that he no longer wanted to live.

But I love what God did next.

God did not begin by condemning Elijah.

He did not shame him.

He did not tell him to simply “get over it.”

Instead, Elijah slept.

And an angel came to him and said, “Get up and eat.”

There was food.

Elijah ate and drank, and then he rested again.

Again, the angel came and told him to get up and eat because the journey ahead was too much for him.

Sometimes, what we need is food.

Sometimes, what we need is rest.

Sometimes, what we need is someone to sit beside us.

Sometimes, what we need is to be reminded that we are exhausted, not defeated.

That story is such a powerful reminder that we should not always assume we know what someone needs. Sometimes, before someone can even begin to process everything they are carrying emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, they may need their basic needs met.

They may need sleep.

They may need food.

They may need safety.

They may need someone to simply be present.

And sometimes, they may need professional help and support.

God cared for Elijah before continuing the conversation about what was next.

That is something I hope we can learn from.

Let us care for people.

Let us check on one another.

Let us listen more.

Let us judge less.

Let us be willing to have uncomfortable conversations.

And let us remember that someone asking for help is not weakness. Sometimes, asking for help is one of the bravest things a person can do.

The Bible tells us that God gives us “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

If you have been feeling overwhelmed lately, please know this:

You do not have to carry the burden alone.

Talk to someone.

Reach out.

Tell someone you trust what you are carrying.

Ask for help.

There is hope.

There is help.

And there are people who would rather walk through the difficult moments with you than live in a world without you.

Throughout this month, let us create awareness.

Let us pay attention.

Let us have conversations.

Let us choose compassion.

And let us do our part to remind the people around us that their lives matter.

If you or someone you know is struggling and you need help or resources, please feel free to reach out to me at tabithainsp@gmail.com.

You are not alone.

Your life matters.

Your story is not over.

And even when you cannot see it right now, there is still hope ahead.

All will be well.