Personally knowing many people who have felt like they want to die, who feel like they're worthless, and who feel like no one cares about them, this is a cause that caught my eye. Zach's Friends was recently set up to raise awareness on the topic of suicide. Despite what you see in TV, in the news, on the radio, in movies....suicide is no joke. There are people out there who honestly don't feel like they are worth something. I want that to stop. I want every one out there to know that some one, some where has them in their heart. Unfortunately some times people start caring when it's already to late, and some one is already gone.
Those of you who personally know me may know the shallow, callous side of me. Believe it or not i have a heart. And growing up in such an unforgiving world, i'm starting to care. We are all human. Person to person, place to place. We are all the same. We, as people, as members of the human race should care for each other. Be kind. Don't make any one's life any harder then is has to be. If we all did one good deed a day, If you took the time to simply complement some one on the street, if you hold open a door, smile at some one, give a perky hello, tell some one they're beautiful, these small things could make all the difference in some one's life. These tiny gestures could be the difference between some one deciding to take their own life.
More about the cause here on Zach's Frineds
The following is note by Zach's mother
The following is note by Zach's mother
On April 8th, 2011 our lives were forever changed when we lost our beloved son, Zachary.
Zachary was a funny, energetic, loving son...who also battled depression.
On April 8th Zachary ended his life.
While no one likes to talk about suicide, it's time we start talking and raising awareness. By educating ourselves and others we can start to recognize the warning signs and what we can do to help someone in need.
According to the CDC a life is lost to suicide every 15 minutes, that's approximately 95 lives EACH DAY! That statistic is astounding and is reason enough to start talking. We need to equip ourselves and our children with the right resources to help others.
Like most families walking the same path we are, we had no clue our son was going to end his life that day, however, we refuse to stay silent. We want to do everything we can to raise awareness.
In our efforts to raise awareness we had Friend of Zach bracelets created to help raise awareness about suicide prevention.
While we are not professionals, we hope that our story and our ambition to help others will be contagious and that people will wear their bracelets not only as a reminder of a wonderful young man who's life was cut too short, but a reminder that we can make a difference.
We can make a difference!
A common misconception is that "If I talk about suicide to my kids then I'll give them the idea to do it." That is simply not true. Suicide is portrayed in movies, on TV, and in the news...it's better for you to educate them rather than their friends or television.
We MUST talk to our kids about this...if for no other reason, so they know what to do if a situation arises with one of their friends.
In the weeks since our son passed we have handed out (at no charge to students, parents and communities) over 1,000 bracelets with daily requests for more.
Your help is sincerely appreciated!
Melissa Jones (Zach's Mom)
Zachary was a funny, energetic, loving son...who also battled depression.
On April 8th Zachary ended his life.
While no one likes to talk about suicide, it's time we start talking and raising awareness. By educating ourselves and others we can start to recognize the warning signs and what we can do to help someone in need.
According to the CDC a life is lost to suicide every 15 minutes, that's approximately 95 lives EACH DAY! That statistic is astounding and is reason enough to start talking. We need to equip ourselves and our children with the right resources to help others.
Like most families walking the same path we are, we had no clue our son was going to end his life that day, however, we refuse to stay silent. We want to do everything we can to raise awareness.
In our efforts to raise awareness we had Friend of Zach bracelets created to help raise awareness about suicide prevention.
While we are not professionals, we hope that our story and our ambition to help others will be contagious and that people will wear their bracelets not only as a reminder of a wonderful young man who's life was cut too short, but a reminder that we can make a difference.
We can make a difference!
A common misconception is that "If I talk about suicide to my kids then I'll give them the idea to do it." That is simply not true. Suicide is portrayed in movies, on TV, and in the news...it's better for you to educate them rather than their friends or television.
We MUST talk to our kids about this...if for no other reason, so they know what to do if a situation arises with one of their friends.
In the weeks since our son passed we have handed out (at no charge to students, parents and communities) over 1,000 bracelets with daily requests for more.
Your help is sincerely appreciated!
Melissa Jones (Zach's Mom)
Beauty From the Earth has teamed up with Zach's family though a new Beautiful Beneficence program to raise awareness about this under discussed topic.
Two new amazing color have been created to help support the cause.
You can purchase these color on the BFTE website HERE
50% of the profits will go to support Zach's Friends
Great post....I also believe that kind words make a difference.
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