HI! I’M DANA.

In January of 2019 my close friend and mentor, Jim, died by suicide. We were on staff together in the kids ministry at a local congregation. Jim had moved away but we stayed in touch. I had almost called him that morning to celebrate a small milestone. It was too early in the morning, so I didn’t. I wish I had. I don’t know that it would have changed the course that day, but because I could have had a chance to tell him how important he was to me… like a big brother, occasionally annoying but someone I really wanted to be proud of me.
I grieved that loss and often posted my reflections and silly stories on social media.

I guess when you break the stigma and start talking about suicide, people recognize they are safe to talk to you. Now, four years later. I can name at least half a dozen people I know and love whom I walk with, supporting them in their journey away from despair or as they support someone they love. Most of the time, there’s absolutely nothing I can do to take away their pain. I can connect. Empathize. Commiserate. Stay. Call. Text. Spend time in person. Remind them of the strength and the beauty of who they are made to be. Celebrate small wins. Big ones too. Hold space for their feelings and let the feelings be what they are. They’re just messengers passing through.

This work is unsexy and heavy, but let me tell you...

There is hope!

I have seen the light of hope come back into my people’s eyes. There is nothing like it. All of those efforts or investments seem to help my people find alignment that alleviates the pain and leaves room for hope to grow. 

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