As you may or may not know, my sister, Chelcie Anne took her life March of 2016. She lost her battle with mental illness that she had been struggling with ever since our other sister, Holly Rose passed away in January 2002 from an inoperable brain tumor.

Both were tragic losses that no sibling, parent or friend will ever want to endure. They are at peace, with no more pain, mercy.

I sometimes think about what life might be like had Holly and Chelcie not gotten sick. I would have liked to have grown up with all my sisters.

Might we have been dating boys, sharing stories, advice and kackling about dumb dates? What might post high-school lives been like, would they of gone to college, trade-school, join the military, become a mother or off to work somewhere?

I would have loved to of attended their wedding, baby shower and birth of their children. I wish they could have been in-person for mine.

But that’s not how life works. You don’t get to choose, you don’t get to know. And, by the way, you don’t want to know. Living in blissful ignorant about the future is better – promise.

Because if you’re saying, you’d do things different, if you had only a year to live, then, I’d say, perhaps, you’re not doing it right.

And I’m not saying, go out there and blow all of your money, out-spend what you earn, put it all on credit-cards and go to Vegas to put it all on black. Although, that does sound like a lot of fun, after writing all that out. Anyone, wanna go?! LOL

I’d like to believe, that Holly & Chelcie are at peace, together, as Angels. And that they’ve been with us this whole time, guiding and looking out for us.

As you may know, September, is mental illness awareness month, with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and I want to honor them and their memory. Please consider purchasing “Strikethrough Mental Health” sustainable products through my website shop. ALL proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Chelcie’s name.

If, we can bring more awareness to this terrible brain disease, and start treating it without the stigma, as we would any heart or kidney disease. Then, I believe, we can really begin to make an impact on the health and well-being of so many individuals.

Yes, the money will help with better support persons on phones at call centers. But what I really hope it provides, is better training, support, education & resources to family members, doctors, friends & strangers who are attempting to be Good Samaritans when an individual is feeling dire and they can’t stop the evil whispers in their heads.

But most of all, we need to do better as a society. We need to do better at caring for people in our community, being there and showing up. We need to get off our phones, log out of social media and go live life with the people we love and make memories together. Because, as we are all acutely aware, we don’t get to live for forever and many of us don’t get to see 10, 25 or even 50.

Pick up the phone, write a letter and check up on your loved ones. Be better friends, be better family members. And if you see something, say something. Smile at a stranger, ask them how they are REALLY doing. Send flowers, tell someone today how they impacted your life and how much you care about them. Don’t wait, because the next time you see them, it could be your last.

Don’t regret unspoken words and acts of kindness. It could save a life.

Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 74174, an educated & trained support person may help you. And if you don’t want to talk to a stranger – phone a friend or someone you know that cares about you. PLEASE KNOW, THAT YOU ARE LOVED, VALUED & THAT SOMEONE WANTS TO HELP YOU! 

If you need more support & resources, please check out, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website. Join the fight and get involved.

In loving memory of Chelcie Anne Jacobs, aka Olivia Merie, August 23, 1991 – March 25, 2016 & Holly Rose Jacobs, January 1, 1993 – January 17, 2002.