Suicide Prevention Awareness Day

Hello B. Well Family,

This September, I want us to check on people differently.

Check on your strong friend.

Check on the friend who always looks put together.

Check on the friend who makes everybody laugh.

Check on the friend who is always the life of the party.

Check on the successful friend.

Check on the friend who takes care of everybody else.

Check on the friend who always says, “I’m good.”

Because suicide doesn’t have a look.

Sometimes we recognize when someone is struggling. But sometimes pain is hidden behind accomplishment, humor, beauty, busyness, strength and a very convincing smile.

And there is one group I especially want us to pay attention to: Black men.

CDC data show that suicide rates among Black Americans increased 25.2% between 2018 and 2023. Among Black people ages 10–24 and 25–44, rates increased by approximately 29% during that period.

That deserves our attention.

Too many Black men have learned to carry enormous amounts of stress while still showing up, providing, performing, leading and telling everyone around them that they're fine.

We have to make room for something other than “fine.”

Ask again.

Listen longer.

Make the call.

Send the text.

Create space for the people you love to tell the truth.

And if you are the strong one—the person everybody assumes is okay—I want you to know that you deserve somewhere to put down what you've been carrying, too.

If you're ready to make your mental and emotional wellness a priority, I invite you to connect with me at B.Well. We can create space for honest conversations about stress, burnout, boundaries, wellness and what it means to truly take care of yourself.

You don't have to wait until you're falling apart to ask for support.

Live consciously. B.Well.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.