Yesterday, the world got a little dimmer. Garrison Brown, a vibrant soul known for his infectious laugh and boundless energy in the show Sister Wives, passed away at the tender age of 25. His departure isn’t just a personal tragedy for those who knew him; it’s a wake-up call, an urgent whisper begging us to talk about something society has long kept in the shadows—suicide.
Let’s get real for a minute. Every year, thousands of Americans are lost to suicide.
It’s the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., with over 45,000 lives claimed yearly. That’s more than just a statistic; those numbers represent friends, family, neighbors—people like Garrison.
Spotting someone spiraling into that dark place can be tricky. It ain’t always as clear as someone saying “I’m thinking about ending it all.” More often than not, it’s subtle—a change in behavior, losing interest in stuff they used to love, or maybe they’re just sleeping all day. If your buddy suddenly starts giving away their prized possessions or can’t talk about the future without sounding hopeless? Red flags right there.
Let’s chat about this whole “man up” culture. For too long, expressing vulnerability or asking for help has been viewed as a weakness—especially for dudes. This macho stigma around mental health traps people in their own heads and makes them think they’re alone in their struggles—not cool.

This artistic representation captures the essence of sadness and contemplating suicide, as a young man gazes into the mountainous blue frontier, embodying the weight of loneliness to picture the pain and suffering of Garrison Brown.
So why is therapy or treatment so important? Imagine carrying a backpack full of bricks (aka your worries and fears). Each therapy session takes one brick out. Eventually, it’ll get lighter until one day you realize you’re actually running instead of trudging along—HEALING. Connecting with others facing similar struggles can also make your journey less lonely.
How can we support each other? Listen more than you speak. If someone trusts you enough to open up about their struggles, honor that trust by lending an ear without judgment. If things seem really dire, encourage them to seek professional help and even offer to help them find resources.
Speaking of resources:
– National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Text or Call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
– Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
– The Trevor Project Suicide Hotline (LGBTQ+ Youth): 1-866-488-7386
These organizations are lifelines (literally) and can provide immediate support when things feel overwhelmingly bleak.
Garrison’s story isn’t unique—it’s a call to action for all of us. To start viewing mental health as just as essential as physical health and to end the shame and stigma surrounding suicide once and for all.
We gotta do better—for ourselves and each other. Let’s create a culture where asking for help isn’t considered weak but wise; where being vulnerable is seen as brave rather than broken.
For Garrison and every beautiful soul we’ve lost too soon: let’s speak up
By Jace A.