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CLEVELAND — Laura Meyer is banging a rag doll on her coffee table.

“One of the last bday gifts she gave me — it’s called a "Dammit Doll. Whenever you’re not doing well, you’re supposed to bang it down when you’re having a hard time,” said Meyer with a hearty laugh.

Meyer loves to talk about her friend, Kea Earley.

“She was a fitness instructor. She lifted everyone up around her but inside she was deeply struggling,” said Meyer.

Earley died by suicide in December of 2021.

What You Need To Know

  • September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

  • A common misconception is that talking about suicide encourages the idea

  • Woman hopes an event in memory of her friend will help destigmatize talking about suicide

Although a fun time and talking about suicide don’t seem go hand-in-hand, Meyer has planned an event where she wants just that.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Meyer is hoping to ease some of the stigma around talking about suicide.

“The reason I wanted to do it in a day party setting was to kind of suck the scary out of the room,” she said

She’s planned a day party for Saturday complete with a DJ, food vendors, art and a bartender, but mental health resources will also be on tap.

Jessica Vazquez is a mental health and prevention specialist and will be speaking at the event. She said she loves the fact that the event won’t be in a clinical setting.

“Let’s be in a good enery environment. It doesn’t have to be stuff or super professiona. There’s time for that,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez said anyone who wants to helps someone should attend.

“The more people know what to look for, how to connect somebody to the right resources, or just how to support them through a tough time…it  might not lead to a referral or a resource but it may lead to connection…that in itself can save a life,” Vazquez said.

Meyer said she hopes the event in memory of her friend will help destigmatize talking about suicide.

“The thing that struck me the most about losing Kea was that I knew she was struggling but so many people around her had no idea,” Meyer said.

Tickets for the event can be purchased by clicking here.

Proceeds raised will benefit LifeIsBetterWithYouHere.org.