“I’m fine” can be an easy answer to a difficult question—and sometimes it leaves the most important part of the story untold. That possibility is at the heart of For All Seasons’ annual “No Matter What… You Matter” suicide prevention campaign, which asks the community to look beyond familiar reassurances and make room for more honest conversations about mental health.
For a decade, the organization has used its September campaign to bring suicide prevention education to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This year’s efforts connect the healing power of personal storytelling with practical learning opportunities, including new online courses that help trusted adults support teenagers and understand how to create greater safety during a suicidal crisis. Together, these initiatives emphasize the role that families, friends, educators, and neighbors can play in helping people feel heard and supported.
The Spy’s interview with Lauren Weber, chief strategy officer at For All Seasons, provides an opportunity to explore the campaign’s theme, “What if ‘I’m Fine’ isn’t the whole story?” At its heart is a simple message: reaching out does not require a perfect speech. It begins with making time for someone, listening with care, and reminding them that they matter.
This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about For All Seasons and the teen suicide presentation, go here.