I know usually when I write this blog I try to find someone or something that has done something ridiculous to rip on or joke about it -- not this week.

The subject of my blog this week is suicide and it is nothing to joke about.

Five years ago, I lost my brother-in-law to suicide and I have lost some very close friends to suicide. It is something that affects everyone, everywhere, no matter who you are. It can affect you.

Last week a 14-year-old boy from the Bainbridge killed himself. And it was just released last week on the news that Drew Brees' mom's death was ruled a suicide. It doesn't matter if you live here in Putnam County or if you are a famous NFL quarterback.

This is the time of the year where the suicide rate is the highest. The changing of the weather, the longer nights and the colder weather make people that are dealing with depression have a much harder time with it. Throw in the hard times that people are having because of losing a job or struggling to survive, and you have a recipe for tragedy.

People who do commit suicide tend to suffer from depression and that fact is usually never known until it is too late. If it is known, people ignore it. The goal keeper from the German Soccer team who was going to start in the Germany's World Cup game was depressed and killed himself.

If you know or think you know of someone who is depressed or is getting depressed, don't shun them or ignore their problem. Reach out and help them. Especially parents. If your child is acting strange and secluding themselves more than usual, take time out and talk to them. Don't just immediately think that it's just a phase they are going through. There might be a deeper issue at work, and a friendly ear just might save their life.

There are signs to look for if you think someone is becoming suicidal. One sign is that if they start telling everybody goodbye when they usually don't or they start giving away their personal possessions, especially the things that mean the most to them.

If you know someone who is battling depression or you think may be thinking about suicide, let him or her know that you are there for him or her if they ever need to talk.

And for anyone who reads this who is thinking about suicide call; the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and talk to someone, I beg of you. It's a toll free number and the people on the other end will hear you out. You can talk to them about what is troubling you. Nothing in life is worth killing yourself over. Suicide doesn't solve any problems; it only creates more pain for the loved ones that you leave behind.