I grew up in a household with substance abuse. My brothers have lost some dear friends to overdoses. We’ve all been affected by losing people close to us because for reasons only they know they felt their lives weren’t worth what we all saw in them. And we are all left to mourn the loss of them to death or to watch them ruin their bodies because they believe drugs and alcohol are their only escape. Somehow the people who care must find ways to reach out to the hurting and let them know they aren’t alone and there are other ways to feel better. And it starts at home. In our communities. Together we can make a difference.

Across the nation, our jails and homeless populations have a significant proportion of their population that suffers with addiction and mental health issues. Wyoming and Uinta County are not immune to these issues. There are few people in our community that don’t have a friend or a relative that suffers from either addiction, mental health or both. Prevention is an important part of ensuring that our communities and the citizens that live here are healthy, productive and safe”.

Many of us have heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. It takes that same village to protect a child from suicide. That village is our community, healthcare providers, individuals, family members and treatment services. No matter your role, whether it’s starting a conversation or offering a listening ear, these strategies can save lives. I, as a Registered Nurse/Educator in Evanston community, play a critically important role in preventing suicides by identifying those at risk, providing support and offering hope. Let’s all play a part by being the heroes of hope