Your mental health is more important than attending to your students and their parents needs at this time. Focus on yourself first before you can focus on others. Suicide is just an easy way out to escape from your situation that seemed impossible to deal with, but you’re a teacher, that shows you’re a strong, courageous and brave individual. It takes a tremendous courage to be a teacher, and a brave soul to lead. You’ve made it this far, don’t give up!

Don’t fight your depression alone, share your story and how you feel with someone you trust, hang around people who are caring and positive; ask someone to help you figure out what to do about a problem you're facing; work with a therapist or counselor if problems are getting you down; If necessary, please contact a suicide crisis line, call 1-800-273-8255, or text or call 988. These services are confidential and run by people who care and can work with you to help figure out what to do.

Yours truly,

From a fellow teacher.