Suicide Awareness Fundraising

30 is supposed to be a birthday that you celebrate just like 21. For me, every year is just as special as the last. As far as milestones go, 28 on the 28th, my Golden Year was a highlight. Although it happened during our first year of this pandemic, I still enjoyed it. I can only remember the highlights, peace and blessings that I felt at that time. It was an amazing feeling. For as long as I can remember, 28 was going to be my 30. My year to celebrate way too hard surrounded by the people that I love the most. Although I didn't get a chance to physically celebrate with all my loved ones, I felt their love, celebration, and gratitude. Let's fast forward 2 years, where I have to figure out what to do now. 

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How do I celebrate 30 when to me, it's just another birthday. While pondering, it dawned on me, do your favorite thing - give back. Every year going forward, I want to celebrate myself by raising money for my organization and for a cause of my choice. Of course to start this off, our first cause is going to be Mental Health. Mental Health is near and dear to my heart and one of the disparities I would like to address, is Suicide Prevention and Awareness. Suicide Awareness is necessary to be able to even begin thinking about Prevention. 

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Awareness to me is more than just acknowledging the existence of something, but also the causes and effects. It's not enough to know and talk about the fact that suicide exists. We should also be discussing why this is a choice, or solution for some. We have to talk about how this is effecting different communities. We have to talk about how this effects us individually. We have to talk about the realities of the processes, the numbers, and the people. Once we do that, then we can discuss how we can make the best impact. This fundraiser will serve as the first of many personal attempts to be the change I want to see.

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A portion of the proceeds will be donated on behalf of Endless Possibiliteas, Incorporated to the American Suicide Prevention Foundation. The other portion of the proceeds will go towards the development of an Awareness campaign dedicated to creating commercials that showcase the realities and vulnerabilities that lie within Mental Health conditions. We need more advertisements that encourage us to see the similarities and not differences we, as a society, share. 

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Every birthday I spend on earth, I remind myself of how many times I could have taken my own life. I choose to celebrate by giving back because honestly, that's one of the only reasons I am here. I want to continue to advocate for those who may not even know they need one. Please join our mission to advance the quality of life within our community.