A few points I need to make before you go “poof.”

Spent another morning hearing about yet another suicide in Little Rock of a person in their 30s-40s and it depresses me that I drive past all these houses every day — each one with a person, who has a life and a history and their own problems, and that these people sit in their particular home, with all their troubles, and feel so alone…while being completely surrounded by others.

I feel like there’s another one every few months in or around my personal circle of friends. There are some each week that I see through my job in news. There are thousands every week around the world. You see it on Twitter and Facebook and whatever particular avenue you frequent.

People, one after another, coming forward and posting bursts of emotion, some processing it better than others, lamenting their friends who were so nice, or so funny, or so giving. That they were the life of the party. They were the person you turned to to make life fun. They were so nice or so quiet or so whatever they were.

Well, now they’re not any of that.

They’re gone, and they didn’t leave a note. So you’ll never know why, or what was going through their mind, or how long they’d been dealing with whatever pain they were in literal mortal combat with.

I don’t claim to know what everyone’s particular struggle is, but I can say that something that has helped me through dark times is actually talking to other people. It sounds ridiculous, I know. You think no one can be bothered to listen to what, in your head, are trivial concerns that have just piled up over time to become some great weight, dragging you deeper into the black.

Feeling like nothing, heading towards nothing, with no end to the misery in sight.

I’ve been there.

Some advice from me, a person who has suffered his entire life battling deep, terrible depression that makes it hard to even get out of bed, or open my eyes some days.

Do yourself a favor and don’t wallow in the depression. I know sometimes the urge is there. And it feels oddly good, or at the least, familiar, to let yourself sink into it.

This is basically the same as realizing that the quicksand you’re in is pretty warm, and that’s kind of nice. It’s nice until it isn’t. Then you’re submerged.

Don’t think that the bad times you’re in right now will go on forever.

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and typically it’s not a train.

It physically and mentally pains me to know that there are so many rash decisions made that can’t be taken back because here is no do-over.

That bell can’t be un-rung. Not now. Not ever.

You’re putting the period on the end of your sentence.

This is broad level (remember, I don’t pretend to know everyone’s problems/issues) but I do get being at the end of your rope and wanting to flick the off switch to get away from money issues, relationship issues, missing the people, family and friends that understood you and have passed away, or moved away, or somehow have abandoned you either by choice or necessity or plain old passage of time…but until it’s your actual time to die, organically, PUT UP A FIGHT.

If you’re reading this, I consider you a friend of mine and I appreciate you in some way. I know that you’re a human, and that’s enough. We have that in common. You got this far. You were born. You learned to talk and walk and read and write and you ran and played and got through all or most of college and maybe you learned a skill and got a job. Maybe you met someone you thought was great, and they thought that about you as well. Maybe you got married and have kids. Maybe you left them or they left you. Maybe you have regrets.

There are a lot of maybes, but you’ve been through a lot. Why cut things short just as you’ve gotten all your ducks nearly in a row? That’s a lot of history to just stop cold turkey.

So if you’re ever having issues, don’t feel weird about it. Don’t stay in your own head and let the pressure build until you’re desperate to relieve the pressure irreversibly.

Don’t think twice about it. We can talk. I won’t judge and I won’t mess with you. I have been through enough of this with all of my depression and anxiety issues, issues that felt like huge boulders to me that are infinitesimal to others, that I realize how serious it is, and I can be your depression Sherpa and try my best to guide you through it.

If I’m not your cup of tea, there are many suicide hot-lines. Also, more and more insurance providers and employers are making access to mental health care easy and affordable, and in some cases, free. Please take some time to research what your options are that don’t involve you being dead. Because that is always the best option. Someone out there needs you.

Be nice to each other, but most importantly, be good to yourself.