"Connection is the energy created between people when they feel seen, heard & valued; when they can give & receive without judgement" ~Brene Brown

With the tragic news of Kate Spade & Anthony Bourdain losing their lives to apparent suicide, I am compelled to write to you all today, because part of the solution is to talk about it. Talking about suicide in a thoughtful way does not contribute to people attempting it- not talking about it does. These two deaths show us that success does not protect anyone from depression and suicide. Recent studies show that suicide in the U.S. is up almost 30% since 1999!!!! This is staggering and unacceptable. This week I was a vendor at a Health & Wellness fair for a large corporation and I was the only vendor representing mental/emotional health and well-being out 40+vendors. We all know the importance of physical health, nutrition, but what about mental health and well-being? If you don’t have your mental health you don’t have anything in my opinion. The way you think determines what actions you take or don’t take in your life. Consequently, knowing how to process negative feelings is essential. My passion and drive is to teach it to anyone who will listen, because thinking is the most important thing. Social isolation and alienation are big risk factors for suicide. A new mom at home alone for hours a day, someone who travels constantly for work and is away from his friends and family, a friend who is depressed and anxious after a break up and ashamed to talk about it. They are at risk. If you have a friend or family member who has recently lost a job, suffered a trauma, has been drinking more than usual, call them. Take them out for coffee.  Have them over for dinner. Connect with them. It helps. I have been working in mental health for 18 years as a therapist and now as a Life & Weight Coach and what I know is that connection and community are so very therapeutic and can prevent someone from ending their own life. I urge all of you to connect with someone you care about today. Share this blog post on your social media feed, or with someone you care about.  If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a friend, a family member, a therapist, a Life Coach. We all need this love and connection. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Phone Number is: 1-800-273-8255. You are not alone. You are loved. You matter. Let’s all do our part today and connect with compassion. mindurstrenth.com/minisession