On this week's program, host Phil Tower speaks with Christy Buck, founder of Be Nice(BeNice.org) and executive director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and Jeff Elhart, owner of Elhart Automotive in Holland.

National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month is marked every September, and last year at this time, the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan released a groundbreaking book, designed to help educate the community on awareness and prevention strategies.

The book “Be Nice: 4 Simple Steps to Recognize Depression and Prevent Suicide," was co-authored by Christy Buck, and Jeff Elhart, and it shares the powerful story of how Jeff lost his brother Wayne in 2015.

Jeff and his family were impacted greatly by the effects of depression and suicide through the death of Jeff's brother Wayne on March 27, 2015, to suicide.
Today, the Elhart family dedicates their lives to bringing mental illness awareness and suicide prevention education through the collaboration with The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan and their highly-effective “Be nice.” program.

Online:
"Be Nice:4 Simple Steps to Recognize Depression and Prevent Suicide,"
https://www.benice.org/be-nice-four-simple-steps-recognize-depression-prevent-suicide

Elhart Cares Be Nice:
https://www.elhart.com/jeff-elhart-be-nice-holland-sentinel-article.htm

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
https://988lifeline.org/

About the book:

Do you have a plan to recognize depression? Are you equipped to prevent suicide? Be nice. offers authentic, real-life examples and practical applications that empower you to improve lives and help prevent suicide in your daily life and community.

Be nice. Take action. Save a life.

With these 4 Simple Steps:

N: notice changes in someone’s thoughts, actions, or feelings

I: invite yourself to speak up if those changes last two weeks or longer

C: challenge yourself to ask the tough questions, get help, and fight the stigma surrounding mental illness and treatment

E: empower yourself and others with the knowledge that you can have an effect on how a person thinks, acts, and feels

One in four people is diagnosed with depression or another mental illness. It’s our responsibility to look out for one another. Period. Empower yourself with the be nice. action plan to help others with depression and help save lives from suicide.