If I Knew Then

Author's Note

I was a little hesitant when I first started writing this novel. The idea came to me shortly after writing For You, and though I believe it holds many important lessons, I know that it is a sensitive subject. And I want to clarify that I'm not trying to explain how everyone should feel. We all experience things differently. This is just one point of view. 

What I hope to achieve from this book, is to help people understand and put an end to stigma around mental illnesses. If I see any mental condition followed by the words weak, selfish or attention seeking, again, I might actually start to cry. Cry for all the victims that never got help, because they were taught that seeking help made them weak. There is nothing weak about seeking or needing help. There is great strength in it. 

May we learn to be more empathetic towards the inner demons that other people face. Just because you can't understand or relate to the thoughts that haunt another person's mind, doesn't mean what they are experiencing isn't valid. 

Please know, that though this is a romance novel, the last thing I want to do is romanticize suicide. 

There is no coming back from suicide. Life isn't like this fictional book. 

And love, in any way shape or form, cannot heal a person's suicidal ideations. These people need professional help. 

That doesn't mean there isn't a lot we can't do to help. We can provide education, resources and support. 

If you've ever had any suicidal ideations, please know that it is not a reflection of weakness. Mental illnesses are real illnesses. And illnesses, whether physical or mental, need treatment. Please reach out if you need help. 

And if you need someone to listen to your story, I'm here. I will be happy to help in any way I can. 

Take care of yourself.

You deserve to live, and you deserve to be healthy. 

This is the Canadian suicide line: 1-833-456-4566