This is not the post I was going to write. That post is mostly written and will wait until next week.

Today, September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.

This is a somber topic that happens to correspond with Tuesday Top of Mind.

Suicide and the death of hope touch us all. It does not matter how rich you are, or how poor, or what gender, how young or how old, suicide has touched your life in some matter.

We cannot know the thoughts that weigh on the minds of so many and the pain they are in. So much pain that the only way they see to stop the pain is to kill themselves.

Much has been written about the topic.

Much has not been written because the writer is no longer alive to write.

The United States has a suicide prevention and crisis lifeline. The number is 988. There are options for a phone call, or a chat, or American sign language, or a text.

Anyone using any of the options will be listened to.

All it takes is for the person who is hurting to reach out.

The phone call is free. No minutes will be used.

But let us unpack the service’s name: A Life Line. This phone number is meant for people to reach out and speak to someone, anyone who might understand. Or someone to listen.

When someone disappears or “dies suddenly” we are only left with questions. Sometimes it is a motor vehicle accident, too often it is an overdose, and sometimes no reason is given. Sometimes it is suicide because the inner demons and the private pain are too much.

I urge you to use the number if you need to.

I urge you to give out the number to everyone who is in need.

I urge you to put the number away “just in case”.

Because we don’t know what tomorrow brings.

But, if by advertising this number we can help someone have a tomorrow that would be a wonderful thing.

If you are having problems and need to speak to someone, email me at katedevine@dispatchesfromtheeveningshift.com

I will listen.

I will not offer any solutions.

I will just listen.