I am saddened by another suicide loss this morning. I am grateful to CNN for not posting the details of his suicide. Thank you for putting the individual and his family above your ratings. Anthony Bourdain and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

As we have lost two great celebrities, we must also not forget those that die every day by suicide and the destruction it leaves in its wake. We must do more. It is easy to talk about doing something but can be difficult to know what to do.

1. Donate your money and your time. Organizations like JEM need your funds to implement educational programs to reduce suicide, help with mental health expenses as many don’t have the resources, and not every insurance company covers mental health, teach what suicide and mental illness is and isn’t, and remove the stigma so people feel comfortable receiving help. Imagine what we could do if 200,000 people donated just a dollar, a dollar. We could implement suicide prevention programs in almost every school in AZ. Think about that for a moment, a simple dollar could do so much to save our youth.

Your time is also valuable. Charities need you. We need you for administrative help, technical, marketing, teaching, program development, etc. All of this costs money but with volunteers, we can put that money to better use.

2. Get involved in your community. Know your neighbors and look out for each other when you can. Those that die by suicide often feel alone and a simple phone call, text, or knock on the door might help them to understand they are not alone.

3. Help remove ignorance. Talk about professional help and let everyone know that there is no shame in seeking help. Many of us need it from time to time. Treat mental illness as importantly as you do physical health.

There is obviously more to do, but these are just a few things that can truly make a difference in everyone’s lives. As always, if you don’t feel safe call a crisis team or 911. You can find a local crisis team by visiting 211.org. A crisis team is preferred if you have the ability, but don’t risk your safety or the safety of others.

Let’s talk about suicide and mental illness, but let’s also act. Haven’t we lost enough?

If you are feeling suicidal, please know you are NOT alone. Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text Home to 741741