You matter. You are not alone. 

It feels important to say that before I start writing anything else. I genuinely hope you are all doing okay, and please know there are always people you can reach out to for help. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Focusing on the week of Sept. 6, the goal is to educate and engage the public and mental health professionals about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide. If you’re feeling like you need some relief or want to read up on the subject, a simple search will bring up ample resources. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance on Mental Illness have useful information about warning signs, stories and self-care guides to help you check in with yourself and others.

In line with the increase of national conversations about mental health in general, several celebrities posted about suicide awareness and prevention on social media. Specifically, Madison Beer opened up about her struggles in a series of stories and posts. On Aug. 26, she shared with fans that she is “officially one year clean of self harm,” showing a simple image of a calendar note marking the date. The news was delightful to hear, and fans were happy to celebrate the feat with her.

In a bittersweet note, Beer shared that she never thought she’d be able to say this and was proud of herself for reaching this point. She highlighted how challenging her battle has been and emphasized that no sort of calendar mark was too small to acknowledge as a win: “whether you might be one day, one week, one month, or one year clean,” she is proud of you, and you should be proud too.

Beer expressed that her struggles were extremely private and told her followers to reach out to friends who may be struggling. She stressed that you never know what someone may be going through. Although there has been a shift away from shame and toward a more open and accepting conversation, there is no denying that a stigma surrounding mental health has kept many from sharing their struggles, and celebrities are no exception. In recent interviews, Billie Eilish and Joey King had joined Beer in admitting that they kept their battles private to avoid backlash from the public, even when the fame only heightened their feelings of loneliness and isolation. Even though it seems people are becoming more understanding, many still go on the attack and accuse celebrities of having nothing about which to complain. We must recognize that it is still possible to feel down or lonely, whether you are in the public eye or not.

Beer also offered a few words of advice, encouraging her followers not to ignore signs. She reminds followers to gently check in with themselves and their friends even after September ends, and the conversation about mental health dwindles. Even if you aren’t particularly concerned about someone, it’s always pleasant to catch up or hear from an old friend.

Perhaps most importantly, Beer pleaded with her followers to reach out if they are struggling, writing, “please, please know it gets better, and you are valid and worthy of love, and I believe in you.” While her request may seem rambling, it encapsulates how vital her message truly is. Everything she says in that one line is true: it does get better, you are valid, you are worthy of love, and many people believe in you. No matter what you are going through right now, keep fighting and know that you are not alone.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255