Glow For Hope was founded from a deep-seated commitment to enhance suicide prevention and mental health awareness, initially targeting parents and caregivers—the trusted adults struggling to communicate with children battling suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression. The task is multifaceted: understanding when to push for conversation and when to give space, distinguishing between mental health crises and manipulative behaviors, and disciplining without exacerbating their struggles. There is no greater fear for a parent than hearing their child express a desire not to live, a fear compounded by the dread of receiving tragic news at any moment.

As we delved deeper into our mission and engaged in discussions about who we serve and the resources we provide, it became clear that not only parents and caregivers needed support. The children and young adults also require direct assistance to manage their mental health. They need to know there are safe people to talk to, effective tools and strategies to help them cope daily, and most importantly, that it's okay not to be okay—AND it's okay to talk about not being okay.

In this journey, I have been learning to embrace the role of listening—really listening. As a parent, it’s tempting to always wear the problem-solver hat, but what my children often need most is for me to be an active listener without immediately searching for solutions. This includes confronting the uncomfortable truths about my own shortcomings and what I could do better. My personal growth is a work in progress, and every conversation with my kids and those who come forward with their stories at our events, helps me to understand more deeply how we can collectively foster an environment that supports openness and vulnerability.

Motivated by personal losses to suicide and the fear of losing my own child, we expanded Glow For Hope's mission. My goal was to bring more resources not only to my family but also to the community at large—reaching other parents, friends, today's youth—all those in need. I'm not a therapist or a mental health professional; I'm someone driven by the desire to prevent further loss and alleviate the pervasive fear among parents and families.

Glow For Hope stands as a beacon for those navigating the complexities of mental health, offering support, understanding, and tangible resources to ensure no one feels they have to face their darkest moments alone. It takes all of us working together to make a change and reduce the rate of suicide. We are committed to continuing this vital conversation and expanding the support network for everyone touched by these issues.