This week, we are honored to feature a guest writer on Covered by Harmon. Ashley White is the founder of White Phoenix Bookkeeping. We joined together to help promote World Suicide Prevention Day, which is on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

We initially connected as business owners and community members, but our most profound connection is personal. We have each lost someone we love to suicide. These losses are the reason why conversations like this matter so deeply to us. Talking about suicide prevention is crucial. Sharing resources offers support. Creating space for open discussions can make all the difference for someone who feels alone.

For me, losing my nephew Branden to suicide was a turning point. He died right before his twenty-first birthday, and it was an intense loss. As a mother, I felt my sister’s pain. I knew I was nowhere near fully understanding her despair or the heartbreak of his siblings. I did understand Branden’s struggle with mental health. His death forced me to take another serious look at my own. Losing him made me dig deeper into myself. It became clear that my mental health needed attention. I realized that I had to be open about my own struggles. Branden’s mental illness was not unrelated to my own. As a family, we carry those lines. His passing reminded me how important it was to seek help with healing. 

For Michael, the impact of suicide has also been deeply personal. He lost his friend, whom he grew up with, and who was the best man at our wedding. Doug was full of life and laughter, and his death was a shock to everyone who knew him. Losing Doug pushed Michael to look inward and get in touch with his own emotions. It changed the way he approaches and values his friendships. He now understands the importance of asking questions. He recognizes the value of listening. He knows how critical it is to hold space for the people in his life.

In memory of the people we love and in celebration of their lives, here is Ashley’s story:

Losing My Mom and Finding Hope

For me, World Suicide Prevention Day will always be deeply personal. I lost my mom to suicide, and that loss has shaped my life in ways that words can barely capture. She was my best friend. She was the person I turned to for everything. Losing her is a pain I still carry every single day. There are so many moments I wish she be here for. Milestones she has missed, love she still deserves to feel, and the simple comfort of her presence. My two younger children will never get to meet their grandma. My oldest son was only six months old when she passed. He will never truly know her, and that reality is heartbreaking.

Alongside the grief of losing her, I have also faced my own struggles with mental health. There were times in my life when I felt overwhelmed by darkness and believed I could not make it through. I know what it feels like to stand in that storm. But I also know now that storms do not last forever. With the right support and the courage to reach out, healing is possible. I am living proof that you can survive the pain and find hope again.

That is why I speak openly today. The shame and stigma that surround mental health and suicide only keep people silent, and silence can be deadly. Talking about suicide does not make things worse. In fact, it can open the door to connection, understanding, and help.

One of the most powerful resources available is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. I have personally used it and can say with confidence that it is safe, confidential, and judgment-free. The people who answer are incredibly well trained. They know how to listen. They know how to hold space. They give a calm reminder that you are not alone. It is not just a one-time call. You can reach out as many times as you need. If they help you today and you find yourself struggling again tomorrow, you can call back. That is exactly what they are there for.

If you are struggling, I want you to know this: your story is not over. There is hope. There is help. And there are people who want you here tomorrow. Please call or text 988 if you need someone to listen. And if you know someone who is struggling, reach out. One small conversation or act of compassion can truly save a life.

How You Can Help

World Suicide Prevention Day invites all of us to reach out with compassion and awareness. If you want to support someone who is struggling, here are ten thoughtful ways to help:

Ways You Can Help Someone Who May Be Struggling

1. Know common warning signs
   Be aware of talk of hopelessness or feeling like a burden. Look for signs of withdrawing or isolating from others. Notice any loss of interest in usual activities. Pay attention to changes in sleep or appetite. Watch for increased substance use and risky behavior. Giving away possessions or putting affairs in order can be critical indicators. Also, be cautious of a sudden calm after a period of deep sadness.
   
2. Ask directly and gently
   Encourage conversation by asking, “Are you thinking about suicide?”—it’s okay and can open the door to help (CAMH, Western Michigan University).
   
3. Be fully present and listen without judgment
   Provide a safe space for someone to share without fear. Listening can save lives (Western Michigan University, Samaritans).
   
4. Help keep them safe
   Reduce access to lethal means like firearms or large amounts of medication. Ask about their plan and help create safety (National Institute of Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Resource Center).
   
5. Connect them to support systems.
   Share or help them reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Encourage them to contact a trusted professional or a mental health provider. (National Institute of Mental Health, Wikipedia).
   
6. Follow up consistently.
   Check in regularly. Even a simple message can let someone know they’re not alone (National Institute of Mental Health, Wikipedia).
   
7. Know the warning signs
   Notice changes in mood or behavior. Listen for talk of hopelessness or feeling trapped. These could signal acute distress (Wikipedia, CAMH).
   
8. Support professional help
   Encourage or assist them in finding a therapist, counselor, or doctor. Do this if they’re open to it (AP News, Wikipedia).
   
9. Create or strengthen connections
   Invite them into community, friendship, support groups, religious or creative outlets can build resilience (Wikipedia).
   
10. Educate yourself and others
    Learn about mental health, suicide prevention, and how to talk openly. Sharing facts helps reduce stigma. (CDC, Verywell Mind).
    
11. Take care of yourself too
    Supporting someone in crisis can be emotionally taxing. Seek your own support when needed.
    
12. For those grieving a loss
    If you have lost someone to suicide, you are not alone. There are resources available for survivors. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.org/) and the National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/) both offer resources for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

🇺🇸 Support for Veterans in Crisis 🇺🇸
Veterans face unique challenges. They deal with trauma and transition stress. Isolation and housing instability are also issues. These challenges can increase suicide risk.

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: It is a resource for veterans who are homeless or at risk. This service is accessible 24/7 at 877-424-3838 (press 1). You can also reach out via online chat at mentalhealth.va.gov.

Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans (and their loved ones) can call 988, then press 1. They can also text 838255 or use the online chat available at the Veterans Crisis Line website. This is for confidential, 24/7 support. Veterans Crisis Line

VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators: Every VA medical center has a designated Suicide Prevention Coordinator. This coordinator can connect veterans to clinical care, counseling, or community-based support. This service is available even for those not enrolled in VA care mentalhealth.va.gov.

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If you are struggling, please remember, you are not alone. You are worth being seen, heard, and supported. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time. It is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL and staffed 24/7 by trained crisis counselors (SAMHSA , 988 official site). They are there to listen, to hold space, and to offer hope. If someone finds relief today but struggles again tomorrow, they can call back without hesitation.

If someone you know is hurting, reach out to them. It can be a call, a message, or simply sitting quietly together. Often, it’s the simple things that remind someone they matter.

For Ashley, Michael, and me, sharing our stories is about creating connection. We want to remind others that there’s always a path ahead. We have each been shaped in different ways by losing a mother, a nephew, and a friend. This loss has brought us closer. We understand how powerful it is to talk openly about mental health. We also realize the importance of discussing suicide. The more we talk about it, the more we can prevent it.

A special thank you to Ashley at White Phoenix Bookkeeping for sharing her story with such honesty and courage. She’s an incredible advocate for mental health. We’ve loved working alongside her to create content that raises awareness. This content supports suicide prevention.

You can watch our accompanying video on harmonhc.com or find it on Instagram and Facebook at @harmon_healthcare_consulting and on Facebook @whitephoenixbooking.