During my freshman year of high school a very close friend committed suicide during the COVID pandemic. Being home full time and not reaching out, I couldn’t help but blame myself for not checking in more or visiting. I began to question everything I believed in. How could God allow this to happen? Why does he not stop bad things from happening? This huge event made me question my life’s decisions. Seeing the family at the funeral touched me further. I wanted to help and wasn’t sure how. After taking a psychology class, I realized that people who commit suicide have a much deeper issue with mental illness. I wanted to learn more. I wanted to help on a daily basis. My friend, Logan, is the reason I am choosing to get a psychology major in college. He’s the reason I want to help people that may be fighting a mental illness. No one gets through life unscathed or untouched from the harsh realities of this world. I learned that the pain will never go away and that the wounds won’t heal the same, but that I can lean on God to help heal the hurt and help others who may be struggling. I can look for the signs in others and be a soundboard for friends who may be struggling. I have grown from these circumstances and my faith has never been stronger. I have learned that our lives truly begin to end the day we become silent about what matters. We need to stand up for those in need, and pay attention to what really matters in the lives of others.