Suicide Prevention Month (September 17, 2025)
Here’s a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: suicide prevention. If you watched my keynote on YouTube filmed in Guernsey you’ll know where this is headed. One of my LinkedIn connections, Simon Efokoa, took the liberty of creating a short 30-second video for me and sent it to me. It was straight to the point, powerful and grabs your attention:
I hesitated. Do I share this? Do I DARE share this? Yes, I said all these things in my 42 minute keynote and 30k people have watched that keynote on YouTube. But to see this so short and to the point felt somehow different. So I took a deep breath and wrote the following to introduce this video:
The topic of #suicide is taboo and yet according to the CDC, it's still one of the leading causes of death in the US (1 death every 11 minutes).
Despite having worked at Positive Intelligence for 6 years and supporting 100,000 coaches with their own mental fitness training, I didn't see any signs before my daughter attempted suicide a month before we were scheduled to go on our World Tour together.
Thankfully, she's fine and with me today in Barcelona.
I share this short 30-second video clip that Simon Efokoa made of my longer 42 minute keynote in Guernsey last month. You can see the full version on YouTube or on my website (BillCarmody.com).
I believe it's so important that we consider the mental wellbeing of those around us; especially our family members and work colleagues. We don't know and can't assume what others are going through.
And of course, if you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, please don't suffer in silence. Isolation is the worst thing you can do. The best thing is to talk to a professional. In the US call 988 or go to Findahelpline.com. Every country has a similar service easily found with a Google Search.
What our inner critic fails to understand is just how worthy and lovable we all are. In difficult times, it's easy to forget we are enough just as we are; that we need not "do" anything to be worthy of love.
I was lucky. Violet texted us a suicide note and it was her cry for help. She got the help she needed and now we are together traveling the world making memories that are life affirming. She even skydived from 4,000 meters in Paris.
And that's the crazy thing. Life is already impermanent. None of us know how much time we have here. Every day is a precious gift. We are all invited to use each moment to discover and live our life's purpose so that we may enjoy all that this life has to offer.
That is what I wish for all of us.
May you have an incredible journey filled with peace, joy and love. May you be happy. May you be well. May you discover the inner peace deep inside of you.
Love,
Bill
Now, you can see for yourself the more than 200 comments on LinkedIn that poured in as a direct result. That was just in the first 24 hours (and they continue to come). If you’re seeing this for the first time, I urge you to share you voice and help spread the word.
There is such profound wisdom showing up here in this space. I’ve shared a lot of posts on LinkedIn over my career, but nothing has resulted in such positive feedback so quickly … ever. There’s a deep longing for a safe space to have these conversations as you can see by the evidence of all the shares and the wisdom they bring with them.
I’ve been off LinkedIn (for the most part) since traveling the world. The last two days I’ve actively responded to all the incredible comments that have been flowing in. Please don’t share your comment here. Share on LinkedIn instead. Why? Because your voice matters and your comments can help save a life.
It’s September. I want to thank you for supporting suicide prevention month this month. While suicide is an important topic all the time, it’s particularly important to talk about this month and I appreciate everyone who has already contributed to this topic. Thank you!
