In high school, when a close-friend first shared that they were diagnosed with depression, I had no idea what that meant nor how to help them. It was incredibly courageous of them to share their diagnosis with me, and I wish that I knew about the resources available to support us both. He is still with us, but I know that I could have done more when he needed us back then.
Then, in the summer of 2016, I experienced my first loss due to suicide. It was sudden, shocking, and horribly sad. That would not be the last time that a friend took their own life. In 2020, someone that I never imagined was struggling, took their own life. It was during their zoom memorial service, that I remember his Mom talking about and reflecting on some of the emotions that he had been experiencing. She shared those difficult memories because of the possibility that it could save someone else. To my disbelief, many of what was said resonated with me; I had no idea how deeply I was struggling. Since then, I have been on my own journey towards knowledge, self-awareness, and improving both my physical & menthal health. I am proud (and lucky, grateful) to say that I see a therapist, I take a SSRI , and I believe that for the first time in many, many years, my head is above water- I no longer feel like I am drowning.
Only days after I joined Team Resilience, another person in my life took their own. It is beyond time that we call this what it is: we are a deeply hurting society, and there is a mental health crisis. This was my call to action: by raising money for Erika’s Lighthouse via running the 2026 Chicago Marathon, I hope to honor the names of the people I have kept anonymous above. Erika’s Lighthouse is a non-profit organization that believes that every student should have the knowledge and tools they need to care for their mental health. We’re proud to provide our high-quality, comprehensive depression education and suicide prevention curriculum to school districts across the country, at zero cost. Every student. Every classroom. Every school.