Suicide is one of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, and it’s preventable. Nine out of 10 people who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health condition, like depression, at the time of their death. Together, we can help people who struggle to seek help, improve the quality of their lives, and stop this tragic loss of life.

I volunteer with the Maine Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness and teach our communities ways all of us can help to prevent suicide.

From learning the risks and warning signs of suicide, to having an honest conversation with a loved one about seeking mental health help, we are dedicated to bringing people together to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

I will be traveling to Washington this month to tell my members of Congress how important this issue is to me. It is important to me because it affected me directly – I lost my father to suicide this year. I also help those with lived experience of suicidal thoughts and actions as a psychiatric nurse, and I understand the importance of prevention.

Please take five minutes, right now, to call U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King at (202) 224-3121, and tell them to make mental health a national priority and to fund suicide prevention research today.

Join me in this fight to #stopsuicide. Together, we can make a difference.

Kelly Hoyt

South Portland

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