Friday night, I had the privilege of attending the 5-year anniversary celebration and fundraiser for The Defensive Line, founded by our dear friends, the Thomas family, after losing their beautiful daughter Ella to suicide.
Ella is not forgotten. Her life continues to speak through the work her family is doing — helping young people, families, coaches, teachers, and communities understand that mental health is not something to hide from. It is something to protect, strengthen, and prioritize.
We talk about physical health.
We talk about financial health.
We talk about professional performance.
But mental health is just as real, without it none of the other is sustainable.
And when we do not care for it, the consequences can be devastating. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people in America. In 2023, more than 6,400 young people ages 10–24 died by suicide…..roughly 120+ lives every week. That is about three-quarters of a commercial airplane full of young lives lost every single week. If planes were falling from the sky at that rate, we would stop everything and respond.
We need to respond here, too.
This photo is a small snapshot of some of the things on my desk that help me stay grounded:
Coffee — a reminder to slow down, be still, pray, meditate, and create quiet space with God.
A gratitude stone — something I can hold in my hand when life feels heavy, reminding me that in almost any circumstance, there is still something to be grateful for.
Stress putty — a simple tool to redirect anxious energy and refocus when the noise gets loud.
20-minute candle — to unplug, pray, think & renew is wonderful, possible, and important.
A yellow sunflower — a reminder of Ella, of the Thomas family, and of the beautiful, courageous work they are doing. It reminds me to pray for them, to honor Ella’s memory, and to support those who are making a difference in spaces where the work is deeply personal.
Bowie — the image from my business card and the artwork that hangs in my office. Music is oxygen for me. And in the noise of life, Bowie reminds me that sometimes strength looks like being still.
We need to redefine strength.
Strength is not pretending everything is fine.
Strength is not curating a highlight reel while quietly falling apart.
Strength is telling the truth.
Strength is asking for help.
Strength is caring for your soul, your mind, your body, and your spirit.
Strength is walking through the lows, not around them.
Strength is also learning to sit in the discomfort of someone close to you of their journey and being a safe place for them to be vulnerable to listen.
Life is not lived only in the highs. Life is lived in the full journey — the joy, the grief, the uncertainty, the laughter, the valleys, the healing, and the grace that meets us along the way.
And there is beauty in all of it.
I am grateful for the Thomas family, for The Defensive Line, and for the way they are championing life, hope, prevention, and honest conversations around mental health.
May we all do our part to make mental health a priority — for ourselves, for our families, for our teams, and for the young people watching us.
Ella will never be forgotten.
Appreciate your consideration in partnering with a great family and organization that is changing lives daily…..saving lives, supporting families impacted by suicide, and reminding people there is beauty in living…all parts of life.
#MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #TheDefensiveLine #Faith #Gratitude #Leadership #ServantLeadership #CelebrateLif
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