How Storytelling Saves Lives

Can a complete stranger’s story of overcoming hardship — even if it’s a hardship I’ve never experienced — transform and illuminate my own suffering into hope and possibility?

Content warning: this post includes mention of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are not in a headspace to read this today, that’s ok. I always want you to honor where you are on your path of recovery. When you’re ready, this story will be here, waiting for you like a gentle embrace to remind you that you are so, so very not alone.

On the morning of January 1st, 2024, I opened my gmail app during my morning coffee doomscroll.

Why I chose to check my e-mail on new years day is still a mystery — I’d like to think I’ve chipped away at some of my hyper-productivity and fear or of being left behind, but here we are.

The e-mail was from David Covington, speaker, advocate, and jack-of-all-trades in the world of suicide prevention and crisis care. It read, “Rachel, we are interested in having you do a TedTalk style speech at the documentary premiere of Moving America’s Soul on Suicide. Let’s talk.”

A few months later, I found myself sitting in a movie theater seat in Salt Lake City. My fingers were sticky from sour candy and I was regretting my last minute decision to wear Spanx. I looked at my aunt sitting next to me in her stretchy pants and flowy top and felt a pang of envy.