The police banged on my door and just said, 'Is this your kid? Go check on her.'" Brandy Vega shares the terrifying story of the night she almost lost her daughter to suicide for the second time, and how it ignited a global movement.
In one of our most powerful conversations yet, entrepreneur, advocate, and mother Brandy Vega shares her deeply personal journey with teen suicide. From the shame and stigma that kept her silent after her daughter's first attempt at age 12, to the hospital that had no beds for suicidal teens, Brandy's story is a raw look at a crisis affecting millions.
She opens up about her own struggles as a child, her feelings of failure as a parent, and how she turned her deepest pain into her life's purpose with the "Promise2Live" organization. This episode serves as a crucial guide for parents, offering insights into having open conversations with their kids, the power of asking for help, and the hope that comes from action.
📌 In this episode, you'll hear:
00:00 Intro
17:15 Why I Kept Silent After the First Suicide Attempt
24:50 You Won't Plant the Idea by Asking "Are You Suicidal?"
28:40 "I Didn't Really Want to Die, It Was Just Too Late"
34:25 The Shocking Suicide Rate for 9-12 Year Olds
38:20 Feeling Like a Failure as a Parent
41:00 The Ego and Politics of Non-Profits
49:00 My Own Suicide Attempt at Age 12
53:15 The Promise to Live Movement & Annual Event
This conversation can save a life. Please share this video with a parent, friend, or anyone who needs to hear it. Have you ever had a crucial conversation about mental health? Tell us in the comments.
📲 Connect with Brandy Vega & Promise2Live:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandylynnvega
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandyvega77/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-vega-5715a811/
Promise2Live: https://promise2live.org/
🎧 Listen to the full episode now:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Or wherever you get your podcasts
📲Follow Harder To Breathe:
🎙️ Libsyn: sites.libsyn.com/533902
👍 Facebook: facebook.com/RyanMichaelDusick
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/ryan_michael_dusick
🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@ryandusick
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryan-dusick-26460894
#SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #Parenting #PromiseToLive #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #HarderToBreathe #BrandyVega #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast
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