I just found out last night.
We were in a coaching group together, back in 2017. We were the only two men, and we began having a weekly call. We were different—he was a musician and I was in the corporate world. But I had tremendous admiration for his big heart and what he was bringing into the world.
And I know those conversations helped both of us. I wonder now, if we had continued to talk, if there was something I could have said to help him see that his wife and his three year old boy were worth sticking around for.
Men need to talk to each other. To be ok being scared. To be ok asking for help every now and then. To be ok just suffering together. Especially now.
When we struggle with something we tend to avoid it. We stick to the day to day stuff while the big questions (Why am I here? What do I do?) only get bigger. Whether those are work related, family related, relationship related. Men tend to avoid the messy stuff.
I don’t have an answer or an offer or an easy fix for this. I’m still in a bit of shock and just wanting to make sure the people in my world are ok.
If you need help, please talk to somebody. Even if it seems like you have it under control.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255