Today’s video is a special one. Two years ago today I lost my brother to mental illness and suicide. The pieces are easier to carry now than they were 24 months ago, and moving forward I will continue to be a voice for mental health and suicide prevention and awareness. This platform is a gift. A gentle nudge from God reminds me that he will use my story, Adam’s story, because your light is worth shining. Hold on. It gets better.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicide or suicidal thoughts, there is hope and there is help.
Song: Linkin Park “One More Light” Arrangement by: Kea Garmers
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I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t think of a lot of families who are not affected by death by suicide. We lost my husbands brother almost 5 years ago. The really unfortunate thing about his death was we all saw it coming and there wasn’t a thing we could do to prevent it. Mental illness is the devil. And I’m so glad people are talking about it more and more. You have a platform and please continue to tell your brothers story. If we can all save just one…. god bless you all xoxo
I’m sorry for your loss, Gail. It is so sad to lose the ones we love.
Thanks so much for sharing. Our love goes to you and your family, but also any one who relates to this.
Our door is always open. I have struggled over the years as a people pleaser, and unworthy of good attention.
I have an amazing family, but few friends, which is okay as I am now close to 60 and realise what’s important now.
Everyday I look at my face in the mirror and wonder why I have wasted so much time on the negative,but that’s a safe place.
I have never written or voiced this.
Thanks K for the inspiration and love. X
Thinking of you today, Susan. Thank you for sharing your story.
❤️A very important and needed message for all who struggle daily with suicidal thoughts and for those of us who love them and pray for their recovery from depression. Thank you, Catherine, for your strength and caring heart. May God bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for sharing this today.
I think you are amazing and a wonderful person. Always positive. I’m sorry you are dealing with so much right now. Although I anxiously wait to see your posts, I know if you need to take a break for yourself Health, all your followers who care about you will understand. Sending love and hugs to you ❤️
Beautiful- I know what your feeling sad to say. I lost my sister and best friend four years ago – she took her own life – they do not realize the pain they leave behind. But by Gods Grace each day is a new step on this path. What if!!! Haunts me daily but I have to find the joy in life. The hurt will never leave but you acquire a inter knowledge of people and their feelings and struggle and pain. Thanks for sharing.
So sorry for your loss, Leann. Thinking of you!
Oh Kathryn that was absolutely beautiful!!! Adam is beaming down on you with such gratitude for carrying on his legacy and for being his voice on suicide prevention.
I know 100% what you are feeling as my older sister committed suicide in 2005. It does get easier to cope with that huge hole in our hearts and lives, but will never go away, and I don’t want it to as it keeps their memory alive and I will always have a constant love and longing for my siblings (my oldest brother passed in 1995 to leukemia). God blesses me with 1 more sibling my brother Kevin.
Thank you again for sharing your deep private feelings. Kathryn you are a beautiful soul inside and out!
God is Good all the time…..
and all the time God is Good ?
Glenda ?
Thank you for sharing your story, Glenda. I’m so sorry for your losses.
This was loving and lovely. Thank you. I lost my father to mental illness and suicide over 48 years ago. He would have been 107 on his last birthday. I will never stop missing or loving him, nor will he ever be forgotten.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I understand how that love can continue on no matter how long it has been.
We lost our daughter to suicide this year, right before Christmas. Such a tragic waste of a wonderful woman. She never really saw herself as others did.
I’m so sorry you’ve experienced this tragic loss. ?
Thanks Katherine! I appreciate you being so transparent and continuing to advocate for all of us, who need to be reminded that mental health is vital.
I lost my son to suicide in 2013, he was 21 so this is a very personal issue for me as well.
Thank you!
So sorry for the loss of your son, Leslie. ? Thank you for sharing your story.
I have wanted to write you since seeing your post. My grandson celebrated his 15 birthday on 12/12/17 then 1/23/18 my heart broke. I got a call telling me. That William had taken his life. You do give me hope and strength when I don’t have any. I will keep you in my prayers. Thank you, June from Louisiana
June, I am so so sorry this has happened to your family. You are in my thoughts today. ?
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Your streng and gentle spirit is a great blessing. Thank you for your understanding and your mission from Him.
Thank you for this, Linda.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We were concerned about my grandson. He’s 19. So very scary. Glad you have your faith to rely on.
I hope seeing signs early on can help your family reach out to professionals who can give him the help he needs to get through this. Thinking of you today.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I am in such a dark spot in my life, feeling as though the light I once had is no longer visible. I so much appreciate your wonderful message. I’m so very sorry for the loss of your brother. You are such a special person Kathryn, I have been watching your videos for a long time and love every one of them…and those boys of yours are absolutely adorable, makes me smile every time!
Karen, I’m thinking of you today! Please reach out to a professional for help and support to find that light in your life once again. ❤️
Thank you for sharing. I work in the mental health arena and am grateful that this topic appears to be less and less taboo.
Thank you for your work and for your kind comment, Rebecca.
I’m sorry for your loss Thank you for sharing this
Dear Kathryn, thank you so much for sharing so transparently. I believe God gifted you as a teacher and exhorter/encourager. I follow your youtube channel. You have blessed me so much. You help a lot of people by your life-sharing. Thank you. M.Connie Chester
Thank you for your kind comment, Connie. ❤️
Thanks for sharing Adam’s story and your loss with your audience here. I lost a cousin to suicide so your post resonates with me. I pray that God continues to comfort and ‘nudge’ you in ways that can help you through your journey of grief and loss. He will bless you as you share this, as He has given you this platform for so much more than sharing DIYs and money saving tips as He promises that He will make all things work together for good…(Romans 8:28) and this is an example of Him doing just that. I agree that there are so many who have been affected by suicide and talking about it can save lives as the stigma of mental illness decreases. Thanks again for your transparency and being ‘real’ about such a personal issue.
Thank you for this, Joy. I’m so sorry for the loss of your cousin. Thank you for taking the time to encourage me today. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss.
❤️
May Christ continue to strengthen, encourage & empower you for this like only He can.
Thank you for this, Janet.
Kathryn, I love your Do it on a Dime videos. Every time I see one I need to run to Dollar Tree. On a serious note I also lost my son to suicide coming up on 3 years. There’s not a day that goes by that hes not in my thoughts. He was such a great actor that no one saw it coming. Thank you so much for all you do to keep the conversatioms going and to help remove the stigma of mental health. Love Linda
Linda, my heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry for the loss of your son. ? Thank you for sharing your story.
Just found your blog today…my condolences upon the loss of your brother. No matter how one looses a loved one (a drunk driver snuffed out my brother many years ago shortly before he was to marry)…it takes a lot of time to adjust. We never ever loose the empty place where they were…but GOD surely helps us with all that comes. I still miss my brother very much, now 44+ years ago. And what he could have been to my children and grandchildren etc. But this life is short really and it will not be all that long until we are once again together. I hope GOD will give you whatever comfort you need.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for these thoughtful and kind words. This means so much to me. I’m sorry for the loss of your brother. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sure that this wasn’t an easy post to create. I loved that you played the piano. As a music teacher, I know that most of my students will not “go pro”, but it is my deepest wish that music will be a way for them to express, soothe, and cope with all that life brings. It was a beautiful, heartfelt testament of your love for him. I’m sure he loved being your brother.
Thank you for this sweet and thoughtful comment. It means so much! ❤️
Kathryn, I am sorry for your loss. Know that in your pain you have comforted others the way God has comforted you. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Thank you for this, Denise. ❤️
Thank you for sharing a story so close to your heart. I lost my brother the same way over 20 years ago. It was a long time before I could talk about it at all, say the word suicide, or hear a gunshot, even in a movie. Now, I look at the stars to say hello to him sometimes. I’m involved in mental health awareness now, because of him.
I’m sorry for the loss of your brother! ? Thank you for your kind comment.