For more than 40 years, The Women’s Fund has equipped girls and women with the tools necessary for resiliency through education and advocacy for individual health and overall wellbeing. Earlier this year, hearts grew heavy upon learning of the passing of former Miss USA, attorney, and TV correspondent, Chelsea Kryst by suicide. It is commonplace to think that why would someone with such exceptional intelligence, ambition, and beauty take their own life? And, how can someone who seemed so happy live in such a private bubble of despair that they feel compelled to take their own life?
As we all try to navigate our own lives, we cannot deny that our struggles while often very private, can and will inevitably affect every aspect of our lives. We can all help prevent suicide by understanding and recognizing the risk factors and warning signs. Evidence shows that providing support, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and checking on friends and loved ones are some of the actions we can all take to help others.
The Women’s Fund’s mission is to teach all women and adolescent girls resiliency skills which can increase their self-efficacy, decision making, communication, and resourcefulness, to ensure positive health outcomes. This includes providing the skills and resources to cope when they are struggling with their emotional and mental well-being.
Our hearts still go out to the Kryst family and anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. We want anyone who is reading this, who may be struggling with their mental health, to know that you are not alone. There is help.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Tawa Busari
Program Coordinator, The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency