None of us can stand alone all of the time.

People I have loved profoundly have tried to kill themselves or seriously considered it. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I don't know about all the suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts of my loved ones. I know a lot of people don't talk about it.
Here's the thing, though: No one -- no matter how strong, no matter how vivacious -- can stand alone all of the time. It's just not possible to make it through this life completely on your own. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it. (If you were falling off a cliff, barely holding on by your fingers, and someone happened by the ledge -- wouldn't you call out for a hand?) There is no weakness in accepting help when it is offered. (If you saw someone hurting, wouldn't you want to help, if you could?)

The simple truth is this: You deserve to feel okay about yourself and your life. Yes, you. And you. And you. And you. All of us.

Some of us struggle with depression more often than others. Some of us experience it in more challenging ways. Some of us are possessed by an overwhelming desire to physically inflict our inner pain on our bodies. If you don't want to talk to the people in your life who love you, talk to people who have trained and studied to offer strategies for dealing with these situations.

Would you think less of a person with diabetes who needs to take insulin to process the sugars in her body? Why is there such stigma associated with people who need medications to process their emotions in a healthy way?

If you saw someone with a swollen, bruised ankle that couldn't support her weight, wouldn't you recommend getting an X-ray? Why is there such resistance to seeking a therapist to help heal the wounds in our hearts and heads?

It's not just okay to ask for help when you need it. It's your job. No one can do it for you. You owe it to yourself and the people who love you. If you think they will be better off without you, you're wrong. There is no pain like grief. It's the worst thing you could purposely inflict on someone you care about.

Tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., but there are places to go for help:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

HopeLine: 1-800-784-2433