What does it mean to choose hope after deep pain?

September is #SuicidePreventionMonth—a reminder to cut through the surface and talk honestly about mental health.

I’ll never forget when a classmate died by suicide in college during my senior year. Suddenly, everything people kept bottled up—grief, confusion, guilt—was right there in the open.

It was a harsh wake-up call to just how much pain goes unseen, how many of us are fighting battles no one notices, and how real the impact is when someone’s gone.

2003 Harvard Crimson tribute "Friends Remember 'Beautiful & Vibrant' Smith - May she rest in peace

In this episode of Adventures in Adversity, I open up about those early experiences—how learning about suicide changed the way I look at others and myself.

I talk about surviving narcissistic abuse, dealing with loss, and what it’s really like to try to put your life back together after everything falls apart.

Hearing about suicide for the first time didn’t just make me aware; it showed me how easily pain gets missed and how complicated life can get before someone finally asks for help.

These are the hard conversations—but silence does more damage. If any of this feels familiar, know that you’re not alone, or broken, or strange for having a hard time.

Reaching out isn’t weakness.

Sometimes, it’s the only thing left that makes sense.

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES

Stay Herehttps://www.stayhere.live/resourcesSuicide prevention education, support, and ACT training for individuals and communities.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 support from trained counselors for suicidal crisis, mental health emergencies, or emotional distress. Available nationwide in the U.S. - English and Spanish

MENTAL HEALTH APPS (2025 BEST PICKS)

Calm — Meditation and sleep aid

Headspace — Mindfulness and guided relaxation

Bearable — Mood & symptom tracking

Finch — Habit tracker and daily self-care

Breathe, Think, Do (for kids)

ADDITIONAL CRISIS SUPPORT

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free crisis support in the U.S..

SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (Mental health and substance use)

This episode was recorded in California at The Oakland Podcast Studio

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