Every September, National Suicide Prevention Week serves as a reminder of the importance of breaking the silence and stigma surrounding mental health. This week is a vital reminder that for many struggling with addiction, the battle extends far beyond substance use itself, often grappling with profound mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts. At Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), we see this firsthand and understand that true recovery encompasses both physical and emotional well-being, acknowledging that addressing mental health is an inseparable part of the journey to a full and purposeful life.
The statistics can be stark, but behind every number is a human story. Studies show that someone with a substance use disorder (SUD) is 10 to 14 times more likely to attempt suicide than someone without a SUD. These individuals are often caught in a devastating cycle of pain, shame, and isolation.
Hazel Hills Center Administrator, Heather Cannon’s story embodies this powerful truth. Heather’s journey is a story of resilience, showing the immense strength found in enduring struggle and ultimately, in reaching out for help.
“For nearly 20 years, I lived with the heavy feeling that I didn’t want to be in this life. Every day felt like a battle just to keep going, and often I wondered if I had the strength to continue. Addiction became part of that struggle, as I tried to numb the pain I carried inside.”
Her words resonate with so many who have walked similar paths, using substances to cope with overwhelming emotional pain. The weight of feeling like you don’t want to exist, combined with the isolating grip of addiction, can create an unbearable silence. However, the darkness wasn’t the end of Heather’s story.
“But looking back now,” she reflects, “I realize it took incredible personal strength just to hold on through those years. What I once thought was just survival has become my testimony, proof that even in the darkest moments, there is a reason to keep going.”
This shift from mere survival to a powerful testimony is at the heart of what we strive for at ARC. It’s about recognizing the strength within each individual, even when they feel weakest. It’s about understanding that the act of continuing, of enduring, is a profound testament to their will to live. Today, Heather’s purpose is intertwined with her past
“I’ve come to see that my life was never really just my own. I am here to help others. Sharing my story, walking alongside people who are struggling, and encouraging them not to give up has given me purpose.”
National Suicide Prevention Week is a call to break the silence. As Heather wisely says, “Suicide is something so many suffer with in silence, but silence only deepens the pain. Asking for help is not weakness, it’s one of the bravest choices you can make.”
For Heather, maintaining her mental health is an ongoing process.
“Today, I take care of my mental health by staying connected with supportive people, leaning into faith, and reminding myself daily that it’s okay to reach out when life feels too heavy.”
This National Suicide Prevention Week, let Heather’s story be a powerful reminder:
- You are not alone. The feelings of despair and hopelessness are real, but so is the possibility of healing and finding meaning.
- Asking for help is a sign of strength. It takes immense courage to vocalize your pain and reach out.
- Recovery is possible. With the right support, tools, and community, a life filled with purpose and hope is within reach.
If you are in crisis, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 anytime.
💜 If you need help with addiction or mental health, call Addiction Recovery Care at (888) 818-1434. Our team is here 24/7 to help you take the first step towards a new life.
