Suicide is a very serious topic that many don’t want to talk about. This week is suicide prevention week so communities around the country are bringing awareness to one of the largest causes of death. According to KTTC, the Albert Lea community came together on Saturday morning and raised around $12,000 for the cause.

The article says that Laurie Squier was the guest speaker at the event and she shared how her battle with depression and anxiety caused her to attempt to take her own life. She said one of the issues is people will not talk about depression because they are “afraid of the stigma,” attached to it. It can be super hard to talk about your feelings, but for many, it saved their lives.

The National Suicide Prevention website says there are many ways you can help the cause. One is getting involved in a walk like the one in Albert Lea. If you would like to be more actively involved, you can volunteer. As a volunteer, you can help your community understand suicide prevention by educating them. You can even help bring suicide prevention to schools. These are just some of the many ways you can make a difference in your community.

There are many resources out there if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts. You can always call the suicide hotline (1-800-273-TALK) to talk to a trained professional. If you are helping someone dealing with suicidal thoughts, it's best that you let them know that you care and support them. Once you do that, it’s important that you invite them to seek treatment.

For more resources, tips and ways to get involved, check out the National Suicide Prevention website.

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