Since the day my daughter attempted to take her own life, an unspoken stigma has followed her—a weight that lingers, even though few acknowledge it outright.

I see it in the friendships that have faded, in the absence of support from family and the medical community. It’s in the silence, in the way people skirt around the conversation, unwilling or unable to engage with the reality of suicide.

When the topic is raised, responses often sound sympathetic, even compassionate. Yet, beneath the surface, there is discomfort—a quiet resistance to discussing something so painful, so misunderstood.

Too many still struggle to recognize mental health conditions as real illnesses. There is a belief that depression, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts can simply be willed away. And if they can’t, then surely a single pill must be the solution.

But mental health deserves more than silence, avoidance, or quick fixes. It deserves acknowledgment, understanding, and the courage to have honest conversations. Only then can we begin to truly support those who live with its challenges every day.