It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.

This year’s events hosted by Pensacola Survivors were amazing — thanks to you. Hundreds of passionate, caring people came together to send a message: We want depression free lives, free of suicidal ideation and we’re walking and building relationships to make it happen! You gave the best gift one can ever give — life. From the bottom of our hearts, “Thank you!” We’re still wrapping things up, so don’t forget to get all of your online donations submitted and don’t forget to thank supporters and share your survivor stories and photos. We loved the spirit and energy. We hope you did, too, and that you keep this cause close to your heart. We’re on our way to making change happen thanks to you.

Pensacola Survivors would also like to extend its most sincere thanks to all of its 2018 Board of Directors! Pensacola Survivors is a new locally owned non-profit organization created this year and has already hosted two events within six months. All proceeds collected from these events will benefit suicide loss survivors and educating our community regarding suicide prevention. The PS Board of Directors are all 100% volunteer initiated and coordinated, which maximizes the funding available for PS’s mission. This year’s events represent countless volunteer hours and sacrifices made by our board and volunteers — we very much appreciate all that they do!

Planning for the 2019 calendar year is already underway and PS expects to add new events to its program. If anyone is interested in assisting PS in these upcoming community events, please email PS at pensacolasurvivors@gmail.com.

Here’s an important life lesson: giving back is where you give, and then nothing happens. No benefits for you, no recognition, nothing tangible gets sent your way. Your biggest and sole reward is the rea

lization that you’ve made a significant change in someone’s life. And if not “significant” then a positive change nevertheless. Whether you donate money or time, giving back is beneficial--and not just for the recipients. Research has shown that the old adage, “it’s better to give than to receive” is true after all.

Many people report a “high” from volunteering, similar to the good feelings that come from exercise. Others have found that volunteering can help fight depression. Helping others can help take your mind off your own problems and enable you to see the bigger picture. Once you see the difference you can make in another person's life, your own problems can seem smaller and more manageable.Remember, no matter how tough you think your life is there’s always someone who has to face challenges that are even tougher than yours.

To begin bringing gratitude into your life, you can deliberately meditate on all the things in your own life that help you or give you pleasure. You can also write a gratitude diary, posting pictures and writing about the things you feel grateful for each day. The holidays are a great time to express your gratitude to friends and family, (especially for those family members/friends who are emotionally struggling from the loss of their loved one(s) during the holiday season) by writing cards and exchanging thoughtful, personal gifts. Baking cookies for neighbors or sharing food with the poor are other ways to express appreciation. Gratitude can lead to feelings of love, appreciation, generosity, and compassion, which further open our hearts and help rewire our brains to fire in more positive.

If you believe your loved one is at an immediate risk for suicide, do NOT leave the person alone. Dial 911 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, or text 741-741.

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result” - Mahatma Gandhi