Every day, you can turn on the television and come across a 30-second spot with the telephone number 1-800-273-8255 flashing across the screen at the end. For almost 1400 teens every single day, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline could potentially save a life and rid individuals and families of the horrors of suicide.
Although there are plenty of measures, both locally and nationally, that are intact to prevent thoughts of suicide, there is more value in actively raising awareness of the issue to stay one step ahead. For Philadelphia’s Sarah-Ashley Andrews, her
organization, Dare 2 Hope, looks to take the offensive on tackling suicide.
The creation of Dare to Hope did not come without a story for Andrews. Just two years ago, a close friend of hers took his own life, leaving Andrews with questions. “When he killed himself, I wanted to know what would make someone at 25 want to take their own life,” she said while reflecting on the incident.
The alarming statistic that 90-percent of suicide cases are labeled as preventable in hindsight also led Andrews to further question the concept.
“I started doing research and wanted to do something to prevent anybody else from taking their life,” she continued. After thought and prayer, she came up with the idea to launch Dare to Hope and do her part in helping others with similar stories.
As a Philadelphia native, Andrews realized the lack of suicide prevention awareness in urban areas, especially in predominately black communities. “They’re not telling our black girls and boys about suicide. Nobody’s talking about it,” Andrews said. “It’s so prevalent and common, even in our race, but it’s taboo to us.”
“In our culture it’s a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you’re crazy,” she commented while speculating why black communities overlook the issue of suicide. As a result, Andrews looks to target urban schools to talk about the issue where it is often avoided or swept under the rug. Projects such as going on school tours and establishing clubs among the youth are the tools that she hopes to bring the concept to the forefront.
Andrews wants Dare to Hope’s influence to come all the way down to the name of the brand itself. “
Outside of Dare to Hope, Andrews is a family-oriented woman who spends most of her time giving back to others no matter where she is. “I like giving. I like going to gas stations and putting five dollars in someone’s tank. That’s the type of stuff that keeps my day going and keeps me happy.”
At the end of the day, Andrews wants people to know that there is always more to life. Not only is “More to Life” the tagline for Dare to Hope, but it is also the simple message she wants to share to anyone who needs it.
To get to know the person behind Dare to Hope, check out her N_Ov8TV episode on Feb 27 to learn more about Andrews’s story and mission.
By: Matthew Brown
