Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young adults. In the past two decades, the suicide rate has dramatically increased nationally. These are not just numbers, but people I have known and survivors who have shared their stories of heartache.

Shatter Our Silence was founded in the Spring of 2016 after watching my oldest son Kalab wrestling with how to navigate his high school career mourning the loss of 3 out of 100 of his classmates who died to suicide.  As his father and a counselor for over 25 years, it shook me to my core having to see my own child navigate through grief at such a young age.  I knew at that point that change was needed and that I wanted to be the Light in the Darkness, not only for my own child, but for young adults who may be watching a loved one or friend struggle with suicidal ideations.

I have been working in the counseling field for over 33 years and knew that I needed to do more to address this epidemic. I believed I needed to learn more, be willing to get more involved, and do whatever I could to be a Light in the Darkness surrounding young adult suicide. Over the past seven years, I brought together a group of individuals who wanted to see if we could make a difference and reduce the stigma around suicide and mental illness. We created Shatter Our Silence (Young Adult Mental Health Awareness Council) which is a nonprofit 503(c).

The primary purpose is to raise awareness and educate youth and young adults, their significant others and the professionals that work with them on the factors that lead to young adult suicide. They learn tools and strategies on how to prevent suicide. Over the past 7 years, myself and other trained mental health advocates have provided hundreds of workshops at various schools, churches, and organizations.

We have been asked to work with various schools after one of their students or staff have died as a result of suicide. We believe awareness and education are the essential keys to preventing another death by suicide.

Kevin Polky, Founder of Shatter Our Silence