We must talk openly and honestly about suicide to overcome the stigma attached to it.

Last week my mother took her own life.

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The pain of surviving a loved one's suicide is unimaginable. For days, I had to pro-actively remind myself to breathe in and out because my body's automatic respiratory impulse shut down.

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I've felt profound, indescribable sadness, punctuated by moments of confusion, guilt, resentment, anger, and more guilt surrounding that anger. It would not be hyperbole to say the experience has been traumatic.

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And yet the world around me continues as normal as I watch others smile and laugh in daily life. I am constantly reminded of the inequity of being human.

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Everyone I've spoken to about it means well and I am forever grateful for their support. But please don't take it personally when you find that whatever you say cannot even begin to solve the loneliness of surviving a loved one's suicide.

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Why am I telling you this? It's not for sympathy. It's because I want you to understand that suicide is often a symptom of mental health problems, as was the case with my mom. And mental health problems can be treated.

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So reach out to your loved ones right now and ask, R U okay? And don't just ask them today. Ask them every single day. I will never get another chance to hug my mom, but many of you can still hug yours.

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I love you, mom. I miss you more than anyone.

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