Category: Suicide

September is Suicide Prevention Month

It’s time for me to Shine…

Some of you may know this or know parts of my story, but many of you don’t… You only see the happy version of me because, documenting my days is a form of therapy for me. When the darkness hits and i know it will, looking back at the things I have done, helps me to see the best parts of me. It’s a visual diary of my better days. 🖤


Typically the fall winter months and the lack of sunshine are harder for me and many others. Depression can blindside me if I’m not staying on top of it.

Let me just say this. It’s a dark place to be in. It’s not something someone can just talk you through, and when it hits, talking becomes VERY difficult…it takes a lot of work, support, and time. So many of us with illnesses feel deep shame. We feel like no one gets us, no one likes us, no one cares about us…and these lies can consume us and take us to where we feel that life would be easier for everyone if we just weren’t around 🥲

I’m not saying ANY of this for sympathy, I’m just stating my own personal experiences from the void.

Some may call it selfish, but truthfully, we feel all alone in our pain, it consumes us if we let it, we feel like we are just huge burdens to those around us. It’s emotionally exhausting because we spend our days trying to pull it all together just to survive. So, the blackness just eats us from the inside, draining us like a blood thirsty leech… We hide behind our smiles trying to fit in, until we just can’t. We withdraw, stop answering calls, make excuses, can’t /won’t get out of bed, can’t work, eat, shower or even function. This is what it looks like.

Medication can help, but often times it takes away ALL feeling until you just feel nothing. An empty shell…I’m hear to say that it’s a scary place to be… As someone who has been in this boat personally, been on the medication hamster wheel, seen doctors, shrinks, I know a thing or two about the darkness.


Recognizing that I needed help from the dark thoughts I was hiding required me to be brave. To speak up and say it out loud. That I wasn’t OK. Because in my case, no one knew…I’m a master at hiding that pain…But, I faced that dark void, told the people I love and I got help…I entered a cycle of docs, diagnosing, drugs and treatments. They helped get me through some rough times and out of a place where the darkness wasn’t all consuming. Family and close friends supported me… and they continue to do so. My Tribe helps me THRIVE and they know the signs now and keep me on the rails ❤️

WHY AM I SHARING THIS???

I hope this message hits someone who NEEDS to hear it.

You ARE worth it. You CAN get through this. You ARE enough. YOU do not have to suffer alone in the silence. DO. NOT. GIVE. UP.


The things that help me MOST:
-My Faith in God-Prayer Warriors -Exercising Daily-Clean eating-Vitamins C & D, Magnesium -Practicing Gratitude Daily-Journaling or writing poetry-Having a safe space/person to call for help-Art/ Photography Therapy -Knowing what my triggers are and avoiding them-SLEEP and not overdoing it-5 Second Rule-Range Therapy -Setting Goals -Knowing when I need my space -Music Music Music


I still have my moments, but I’m in a MUCH better place❤️ I’m mentally stronger, physically stronger and know that I can get through the darkness whenever it comes and I can be the light to those who are lost. Find your purpose and pursue your goals because YOU are a beautiful soul.GOD MADE YOU. And God loves you even when you don’t love yourself.


You’re not alone… You are worth itASKING FOR HELP IS THE BRAVEST THING YOU CAN DO
If you or someone you know needs help CALL the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255


If you have a story like mine, please share it and let people know they aren’t alone…You never know who is watching from that dark place.
Be the lighthouse to those who are adrift💡


#breakthestigma #brokenlightcollective #shareyourstory #bethelight #semicolonproject #bebrave#sparkchronicles

Support Team Broken Light Collective in the AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk-Rockford, IL on Sept 18th

Support Team Broken Light Collective in the AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk-Rockford, IL on Sept 18th

Hello Friends! 

I believe suicide can be prevented and it starts with everyday heroes like you and me.

We are joining the community of nearly 250k people walking in hundreds of cities across the country in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

We’ve partnered with the Founder of Broken Light Collective Danielle Hark, to form Team Broken Light Collective! 
As Captain of Team BLC we walk on September 18th with support from Danielle who has helped so many find a way through the darkness, for the members of the Broken Light Collective who have found a loving place to share their feelings through photography and for our friends and family who’s lives have been touched in some way by suicide, depression and mental illnesses.
Let’s fight the Stigma, Spread Hope & Save Lives!
How can you help? Make a donation to help us reach our fundraising goal. Any amount is greatly appreciated and goes to help this often silent epidemic.
http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participantDonations&participantID=1033145

All donations are 100% tax deductible and will help bring AFSP one step closer to achieving their bold goal to reduce the suicide rate 20% by 2025.
You can also support us by registering to walk with our team!
Just click the “join our team” button.

Thank you for you support!

Jacque Stukowski-Team Broken Light Collective Captain
Want to Help Even More? Make a Donation to Broken Light Collective! 

Broken Light: A Photography Collective | We are photographers living with or affected by mental illness; supporting each other one photograph at a time.
Join our community, submit photos or make a donatation! 

Log on to: www.brokenlightcollective.com to see our images and learn more.

Battle of the mind

the loss of Robin Williams was a huge shock. Especially in light of him committing suicide. 

But it has also raised questions and sparked many conversations about clinical depression, and for those of us who suffer and may have even felt despair as he was in his final hours, it hopefully will bring more research, more compassion and more concern to the subject.

Its hard for people to understand how someone who seemingly had everything, and was so darn funny could do such a thing. But that’s the thing. When you are depressed or suffer from mental illnesses, you don’t see things as others do. The perception others have of you is way different. And even with support, and help from doctors and family, sometimes it’s just not enough…as was the case with RW.

Its so important to know that people aren’t alone in the darkness. If you have a friend or family member who suffers, be there, be supportive do what you can. Check up on them frequently, ask how their are doing and take an interest in their lives, because in most cases, people who suffer tend to isolate and withdraw into themselves more and more…and if this is you, try to reach out to someone. Their are groups, places to call, doctors and therapy that can truly help. But it’s up to you to get the help you need. Everyone no matter who you are has greatness inside. Don’t let the darkness cloud the light you have to shine inside.

i hope the death of RW helps for more research, more articles and more help and support to happen on this subject so we don’t lose more wonderful people who feel trapped in their own darkness.

Their is hope…and if you are a believer or not, God can also help free you from those chains. But it’s still a battle of the mind…don’t give into to darkness and let’s all learn from his death.