Richard has experienced thoughts of suicide and mental health challenges for his entire adult life. Listen as he shares his story about learning to accept help and working to manage the negative voices inside him.

Despite her strong family ties, Kristy felt disconnected from a very young age. She describes her lifelong struggles that led to discovering tools to manage her mental health and help others do the same.

From a young age, Matt has dealt with death and suicide, including considering if he wanted to live or die. As he learned to deal with grief and the emotions tied to grieving, Matt has become a guide for young people struggling with the same emotions.

Jodi describes her lifelong experiences with depression and thoughts of suicide and how she has been able to find support and hope through making connections wherever she goes.

Carolyn has experienced mental health issues and challenges for most of her life.  She has found that talking about her experiences with others has made a big difference for both herself and with others.

Kathy’s life changed in many ways after her suicide attempts, and some people in her life did not know how to help because of their own fears and misconceptions. Listen as Kathy describes her experiences and how you can help and support someone struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Theresa talks about her fear of being labeled after her suicide attempt. She shares how she overcame that fear by understanding the role of grief and coping skills.

As a teen, Kathy lived in a rural area and struggled with cycles of depression. Read how she continues to navigate through her own depression while also supporting others who may be at risk.

Marisa recently lost a friend to suicide. In this video, Marisa describes how she is learning to grieve and cope with the loss of her friend and work through the many complex emotions people experience following the death of a loved one.

Nicolette first began experiencing mental health challenges in middle school. After losing a friend to suicide in high school, she realized she was on the same dangerous path. Since then, Nicolette has taken it upon herself to both honor and share her friend’s story and talk about her own struggles to support others who may be having thoughts of suicide. Listen to Nicolette’s story and how she has learned to support her own mental health and find a life worth living.

Tim, originally from Barre, has come through two losses to suicide. In this video, he offers suggestions to those who are grieving this unique and complicated loss in an effort to promote help, healing, and hope.

Creative Outlets for Healing: Hear about the ways that creative outlets can help bring healing, hope, and health from Vermonters who have experienced thoughts of suicide or lost someone to suicide.

Finding Hope and Healing: Hear from Vermonters who have experienced thoughts of suicide or lost someone to suicide discuss what brings healing and hope.

Photographer Dale shares his transformative experiences connecting with a customer who found solace in his art during a dark period of life. Read about the healing power of photography as a form of storytelling and the importance of connection when struggling with depression and post-divorce challenges.

Beginning in his teenage years, Mark struggled through a series of suicidal crises shaped by experiences in foster care and a family history of mental health struggles. Read how medication, the support of loved ones, and professionals helped him navigate struggles with suicidal thoughts and empowered his dedication to suicide prevention.

Peter has lost several peers to suicide, and it has made him appreciate the need to connect with and support people who may be struggling. Read how his experiences have led him to take on a new role providing peer support to other first responders.

Retired public safety professional, Richard, has survived disfiguring suicide attempts, multiple losses to suicide, and work in one of the highest-risk professions for mental health, physical strain, and trauma-related outcomes. He could have let grief and loss define him. Instead, he’s found ways to give his life meaning and purpose, to bravely speak the unspeakable, and help others find hope and help in their darkest moments.

With all he’s lived through, it’s like Marcus – a veteran – has 9 lives. He shares his trials and tribulations, what keeps him going, how he keeps himself safe/healthy, helps others and continues to transform struggle into strength.

Julian explains what led him to attempt suicide multiple times in a short period of time and what helped and healed on his road to recovery and resilience.

Sunny’s story was shared at the 2024 VT Suicide Prevention Symposium held at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus. Sunny faced challenges with her mental health, and once thought that life would always be difficult. She eventually found the support she needed to address her suicidal thoughts in a meaningful way. Now, she shares resources and her lived experience through her consulting work, focusing on teaching mental health literacy.

Terri is a mental health professional with lived experience of suicide loss and an attempt. She shares what inspired her to show her authentic self after decades of hiding a secret, and the beneficial impacts that has had on her and others.

For decades, Tim didn’t talk about the tragic losses of two of his siblings to suicide – due to stigma and family culture. In this video, Tim shares how he overcame this and how he now seeks out opportunities to tell his story and help others while honoring the memory of his siblings and turning pain into purpose.

Tim and Terri (both featured in our campaign) are volunteer advocates for the Vermont Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). They help AFSP’s public policy office in Washington, D.C. to get suicide prevention policies (at state and federal levels) passed to save lives. In this video, Tim describes an inspiring visit.

Khadija’s story was recorded at the 2024 VT Suicide Prevention Symposium at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus. Khadija is a medical student and suicide loss survivor. She shares her experience losing a childhood friend to suicide and how medical professionals can be better equipped for assessing risk factors with the intent to prevent suicides.