It's time to do something
I have teamed up with a good friend and amazing musician here on Steemit 
Nathan recently shared one of his songs about after he heard of his friend Neil taking his life. Nathan wrote this song within an hour of hearing about the death of his friend, so the emotion is strong and so raw. That is one thing that is so unique about his music and something that you do not find often nowadays in musicians is them putting so much of themselves out there in their music. This is what he wrote in his post about the song:
In a flood of tears, I penned this song within the first hour of finding out about Neil's suicide. After his passing, I felt his spirit visit me to say that he'd made a terrible mistake (but he couldn't take it back). His soul wanted me to try to prevent more unnecessary deaths.
Nathan shared this song to the audience of an MSP Waves Radio show and when it was done playing, there was silence. Everyone listening was touched by the song. Many of us have felt the pain of losing someone to suicide. When I first heard this song it was just a few days until the anniversary of losing my best friend, so I heard this song at the perfect time.
The song is called "Silence (Waves of Life)" by
My Story
Many of you know my story, but for the ones that are getting to know me for the first time, I was a soldier in the military and spent 30 months in combat. After I got out of the military, I got into law enforcement and spent 6 years doing that before I decided to go back to school.
I have seen the worst that humanity has to offer. Violence, death, destruction and everything has had its effect on me. Over time that effect got worse and worse to the point where I wasn't reaching out to anyone or seeking help. I was just bottling it all in.
It was reaching its boiling point when my wife talked me in to seeking help. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, because I had always had to be the one that was "mentally tough" and not show any weakness.
After getting the help that I needed, I have learned the tools I need to use to help me deal with my PTSD. I have found photography, which has become positive outlet for me. It has helped me to focus on the beauty in the world instead of dwelling on the negative aspects that are so easy to focus on.
The problem is, there are so many of my friends that never reached out and got help or found a positive outlet to manage their depression and PTSD. I have lost many friends due to suicide and unfortunately that is a side effect of war and law enforcement that many people do not realize.
Tomorrow, March 27th, marks the 1 year anniversary of the date of my best friend's funeral where I saw him and said good bye to him for the last time. It also is the 2nd anniversary for my children's friend's father, who was also a combat veteran, committed suicide.
Another Song
This next song by Nathan is about how sometimes you can be overwhelmed with how bad things are getting in your life. It serves a reminder that even though things can be going bad for you at that time, just remember that it is just "a moment in your life." Good times come and go, and so do the bad times.
This song is called "A Moment in Your Life" by
-Edit Made March 29th after PYPT-
I have been overwhelmed with the amount of support and comments we have been getting lately on this post. I shared this post on the PYPT show hosted by 
resource.
This song is called "Finally Home" by :
2-1-1 is a special abbreviated telephone number reserved in Canada and the United States as an easy-to-remember three-digit telephone number meant to provide information and referrals to health, human and social service organizations.
More information about it can be found at the United Way website.
Call to Action
Depression is a global issue and effects people from every walk of life. Nathan and I are raising funds to donate to Suicide Prevention Australia. I will be donating all of the earnings from this post to Nathan so that he can give them to Suicide Prevention Australia, since he is there in Australia.
What is the value of one human life? A lot of people raise countless dollars every year to save animals, but when it comes to fighting depression and suicide, this is an issue that does not get the funding that is needed.
The good thing about this platform is that all you need to do is upvote and you are not out of pocket any money to support this cause. I would ask that if you have a vote slider, to vote as close to 100% as you can because in the long run that 2% of your voting power could be the donation that ends up saving a life.
Head on over to
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and support this cause with your upvotes. 2% of your VP can go a long way to help many people, and it recharges quickly, a life doesn't. Please resteem this post as well so that it can reach as many people as possible.
If you are hurting, reach out. If you are in the US, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-273-8255. If you haven't heard from a friend in a while, reach out to them and check on them to make sure they are doing ok. Don't let your friends suffer in silence.
Here is a list of International Suicide Hotlines:
Argentina: +5402234930430
Australia: 131114
Austria: 017133374
Belgium: 106
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 080 05 03 05
Botswana: 3911270
Brazil: 212339191
Canada: 5147234000 (Montreal); 18662773553 (outside Montreal)
Croatia: 014833888
Denmark: +4570201201
Egypt: 7621602
Finland: 010 195 202
France: 0145394000
Germany: 08001810771
Holland: 09000767
Hong Kong: +852 2382 0000
Hungary: 116123
India: 8888817666
Ireland: +4408457909090
Italy: 800860022
Japan: +810352869090
Mexico: 5255102550
New Zealand: 045861048
Norway: +4781533300
Philippines: 028969191
Poland: 5270000
Russia: 0078202577577
Spain: 914590050
South Africa: 0514445691
Sweden: 46317112400
Switzerland: 143
United Kingdom: 08457909090