Check on the person who always seems to have it together.

The mom who is taking care of everybody else.

The dad who never complains.

The friend who is always the one people call when they need something.

The teenager who seems happy and is always making everyone else laugh.

The person who keeps showing up, even when life has given them plenty of reasons not to.

Sometimes we assume the strong ones don’t need help because they’re the ones doing the helping.

I’ve been the person who keeps going because there are kids who need me, a house that still needs running, things that still have to get done and people who are counting on me.

And I’ve learned that being needed doesn’t mean you don’t get tired.

Being strong doesn’t mean you aren’t hurting.

Sometimes you can be surrounded by people and still feel completely alone.

That’s why I think we need to stop only checking on the person who is obviously falling apart. Check on the one who keeps saying they’re fine. Check on the one who is always taking care of everyone else. Check on the one who hasn’t complained, because sometimes they don’t want to become one more thing for someone else to worry about.

You don’t have to have a reason.

Send the text.

Make the phone call.

Sit down and have coffee.

Ask how they’re really doing, and then give them enough time to answer.

And if they say they’re struggling, don’t make them feel like they’ve done something wrong by telling you.

Sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is finally admit, “I’m not okay.”

Make sure the people you love know they can say that to you.

#SuicidePreventionMonth #SuicideAwareness #CheckOnYourPeople #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #TalkAboutIt