5 of my children personally know someone who has taken their life.
Secondary schoolmate, best friend’s brother, poly mate. And most heart wrenching – a primary schoolmate.
Something is wrong and we cannot stay silent anymore.
Between the both of us, we’ve heard more stories than we wish we had. Not some headline in the newspaper.
But real and close.
These stories break our heart, and have ignited a fire within us to do whatever little thing we can in our power.
That’s why we started SPEAK – Suicide Prevention through Empathy, Awareness and Kindness.
Not because we have the answers, but because we couldn’t stay silent any longer.
The pain of parents who have lost children to suicide is unimaginable.
The magnitude of the problem is so concerning that we can’t just leave it to mental health professionals to make a difference.
Yes, the government and nonprofits have a role to play, and they are doing important work.
All of us need to rally together to weave a safety net for this generation of children and youths. Many who are struggling silently.
In today’s world, everyone is rushing around being too busy and distracted.
We need to slow down. Be present to each other. Show a bit of compassion and kindness.
It doesn’t take grand gestures, and many times, people are not looking for solutions.
What they are seeking is a kind word. A smile. A text that says, “I’m here for you. I care.”
It’s listening without judgment.
We are living in an age of paradox. We’re more connected than before, yet our youths are facing what’s know as a loneliness epidemic.
They spend hours glued to their screens, pressured by silent expectations, constantly comparing their lives to everyone else’s shiny filtered lives on social media.
This is the new poverty.
Not a lack of food or shelter. But a lack of emotional safety, meaningful connection, a life of purpose.
We are a wealthy nation, but many of our young are starving inside – for love, belonging, to be truly seen and acknowledged. Parents themselves are struggling too. There’s a disconnect with our Gen Z kids.
It’s not easy to have these conversations. Very uncomfortable, but something we cannot avoid any longer.
That’s why together with like-minded individuals, we’ve organised a parenting conference, to hear not only from experts on how to manage our teens, but from brave teens themselves, of what is truly going on in their minds and in their lives.
I invite you to come, learn and mingle with other parents with teenagers.
It’s not just another parenting seminar.
It’s an honest space where we come together to learn how to support them and one another.
Together, let’s create an environment where no young person feels they have no other choice but to take that unbearable step.
Let’s SPEAK – because silence should never be louder than hope.
Here’s the link for more details and to Register for the Parenting Conference happening on 27 April (Sunday) 1-5pm at The Catapult. Discount code: Apply “PROMO-SPEAK” for 10% off ticket price.
I also run a “Signs of Suicide” webinar to help concerned adults look out for signs and how to respond – more details can be found in our SPEAK Instagram.
Let’s all do our part to keep our children safe.