Five years ago Sonja tried to end her life by taking 200 pills. "I didn't want to leave my life," Sonja told me in our interview. "I wanted to leave the pain."

Suicide rates have increased 30% since 2000. I asked why. Sonja talks about the stigma, the embarrassment, being told in her own ER that she and her husband might want to seek a hospital where they won't be noticed.

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world, yet there are not many groups for mental health in schools, businesses and communities. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline reports that the FCC recommended that 988 be designated as a national crisis hotline, but 988 is NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE and will not connect callers to the Lifeline. Please continue to share 800-273-TALK (8255) and our chat page with anyone wishing to connect to the Lifeline.

In her book, "An Impossible Life," Wasden takes you into her story. "If you are holding this book in your hands, you are holding my life in your hands." This comes at a time when many people are at the end of their rope in a global health crisis. I hope Sonja's story brings you back to why you're here so you can design a forward-focused recovery plan.

I hope you will join us for this interview and checkout www.360lifestrategies.com for articles this month providing you strategies to navigate mental wellness.